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Magic Johnson, a legendary figure in NBA history is one among the legions of hoop fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming series between the Dallas Mavericks and the Boston Celtics. However, his excitement is particularly special this time as he sends a heartfelt message to NBA Analyst Doris Burke.
Burke is set to make history as the first woman to serve as a TV game analyst for any major men's professional championship event.
“Congratulations, Doris! Tonight you paved the way for other women to follow in true trailblazing fashion. I have much respect and love for you! 💐” Johnson wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account.
Congratulations, Doris! Tonight you paved the way for other women to follow in true trailblazing fashion. I have much respect and love for you! 💐 https://t.co/XWagBWDwAn
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) June 7, 2024
Doris Burke’s broadcasting career
Burke embarked on her broadcasting journey in 1990 as a radio analyst for Providence women's basketball games. During that period, she also served as an analyst for Big East and Atlantic-10 conference women's basketball for ten years.
She made further strides by becoming the first woman to announce a Big East men's basketball game. Additionally, in 1997, she contributed to the WNBA's inaugural season by calling games on the radio.
In 2000, Burke achieved another milestone by becoming the first woman to announce a New York Knicks broadcast. Her role continued to expand within ESPN, where she was appointed as a sideline reporter for the NBA Finals starting in 2009.
Her trailblazing journey continued in the 2017-18 NBA season when ESPN promoted her to the position of national NBA game analyst, marking the first time a woman held such a role. Adding to her list of accomplishments, in 2020, she became the first woman to provide commentary for both the Conference Finals and NBA Finals on radio broadcasts.
Unique role
Burke acknowledges the uniqueness of her current role. She's focused on preparing for the upcoming games but also recognizes the significance of her assignment.
“And the meaning for me would be if, in some way, this assignment makes life for women in sports easier or somehow aids in their process, then nothing could be more meaningful,” the veteran analyst Burke said via Joe Reedy from Associated Press.
“Anybody calling their first NBA Finals game would probably be nervous, and I think if I allow my mind to drift too much into that space, it will make that nervousness a little bit worse,” she continued.
“She’s worked hard. Somebody has given her an opportunity, she's taken it and been productive,” said Ann Meyers Drysdale who was the first woman to work as a commentator for an NBA game broadcast on one of the major networks, specifically NBC in 1997.
Burke has also emphasized that she feels “fortunate to be operating at the point in history within which I’m operating.” She acknowledges the pioneering efforts of Drysdale, who broke barriers in sports broadcasting, while also recognizing her own role in mentoring upcoming analysts and announcers.
Influence in sports broadcasting
Jessica Mendoza credits Doris Burke's influence for her venture into baseball broadcasting. After seeing Burke in action, Mendoza pushed ESPN management to start covering baseball, leading to her own successful career in MLB broadcasting, including stints on “Sunday Night Baseball” and coverage of the World Series on ESPN Radio.
“When I heard Doris on an NBA game as an analyst, not a reporter, it just completely changed my thoughts about my own position but also women in general that have played the sport,” Mendoza said.
In a conference call this week, Doris Burke didn't get emotional discussing her milestone but instead focused on praising her teammates, including announcer Mike Breen and analyst JJ Redick.
Breen is set to announce his 19th finals but it's the first one without Jeff Van Gundy since 2006. Van Gundy and Mark Jackson were let go last July as part of network job cuts, ending their run of calling 15 finals alongside Breen.
In August last year, Breen, Burke, and Doc Rivers were named ESPN's primary NBA team. However, those arrangements shifted in late January when Rivers departed to take on coaching duties with the Milwaukee Bucks.
