In building its NBA broadcasting franchise for next season, NBC agreed on its first free-agent hire, while it is showing some interest in another high profile analyst for its game coverage.
NBC secured a deal with Jamal Crawford, sources briefed on the discussions said Tuesday. The contracts aren’t signed yet, nor is Crawford’s exact place on NBC’s depth chart fully defined, but he is expected to call games, per the sources.
Crawford had been with TNT Sports and NBA TV before the new TV contracts with NBC/Peacock, ABC/ESPN and Amazon Prime Video were agreed upon. He is doing a limited number of local Knicks games on MSG Network in New York.
NBC also has some interest in TNT’s lead analyst Reggie Miller for its game broadcast, according to the sources. The former Indiana Pacer Hall of Famer would likely be on NBC’s top games if he were to sign with them. The talks are ongoing, but no offers have been made yet.
NBC/Peacock will begin their 11-year, near $27 billion deal next season. The expected lead play-by-play announcers are the network’s No. 1 and 2 football game callers, Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle.
NBC/Peacock will likely need at least four broadcast teams, meaning it has plenty of hires to go. Beginning next year, Peacock will have exclusive games each Monday. On Tuesdays, NBC will have national games, but will be regionally divided with two games.
For example, on the East Coast, a Knicks-Celtics would start at 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. ET, while a Lakers–Suns might be the West Coast offering at 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m. ET. Both games would also be on Peacock. After Sunday Night Football ends, NBC will have Sunday Night Basketball in prime time to end the weekends.
The networks will have extended playoff coverage, sharing the postseason with ABC/ESPN and Amazon Prime Video. In six of the 11 seasons, NBC will air one of the conference finals.
ABC/ESPN is still sorting out its top coverage for this season. Mike Breen and Doris Burke will be on the finals, while ESPN is figuring out if it will add Richard Jefferson, Jay Bilas or Tim Legler to the crew. Jefferson is considered the favorite, which his recent assignments — including calling the NBA Cup Final – with Breen and Burke have further indicated.
ESPN and TNT also announced a deal for next season that will bring “Inside The NBA” as its lead pregame program.
Amazon Prime Video agreed with Ian Eagle to be its No. 1 play-by-play announcer but has yet to hire any analyst. Blake Griffen, Dirk Nowitzki, Jefferson and Stan Van Gundy are some names to watch.
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