Mike Tirico has been appointed as the lead play-by-play announcer for NBC as the network prepares to restart its NBA coverage next season.
This decision comes as little surprise, given that it was widely anticipated after NBC secured an 11-year contract with the NBA last summer.
Prior to joining NBC in July 2016, Tirico was associated with ESPN and ABC’s NBA broadcasts, where he had a significant role in calling six NBA Finals for ESPN Radio.
Research from 506 Sports Archive indicates that Tirico has called 313 games throughout his tenure with ESPN and ABC, encompassing both regular-season and playoff matchups.
Over the next 10 months, Tirico’s schedule will be packed, as he will oversee the “Sunday Night Football” package—including Super Bowl 60—and will be the prime time host for NBC’s coverage of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.
He is also expected to announce select games on NBC and Peacock during the first half of the season, starting with the season opener slated for October.
Reflecting on his new role, Tirico expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “My 15 years of chronicling the best basketball players in the world still stands as one of the highlights of my career.”
He further noted that his love for the NBA developed during the iconic era of the league on NBC in the ’90s, and he is thrilled about the opportunity to help revive that legendary partnership.
NBC will be airing up to 100 regular-season NBA games, including Sundays after the NFL season wraps up, as well as games on Tuesday nights.
Additionally, a special Monday night doubleheader will be exclusively available via streaming on Peacock.
NBC will also host the All-Star Game along with All-Star Saturday Night festivities.
For the playoffs, NBC and/or Peacock will present as many as 28 games in the initial two rounds, with at least half of those games broadcast on NBC.
The network is also set to broadcast one of the two conference finals during six of the eleven years covered under the agreement.
As NBA All-Star Weekend approaches, hiring activities for NBC, ESPN/ABC, and Prime Video for the upcoming season are expected to accelerate.
Previously, NBC announced that Jamal Crawford will serve as a game analyst, while Frank DiGraci will take on the role of coordinating producer.
Prime Video has also added Taylor Rooks, Blake Griffin, and Dirk Nowitzki to its studio team.
Next season will also see the introduction of “Inside the NBA” on ESPN and ABC as part of a settlement involving Warner Bros. Discovery and the NBA.
This marks the concluding season of NBA coverage on TNT.
Noah Eagle, known for covering college football, college basketball, and some NFL games, is anticipated to join NBC’s coverage, although no official announcement has yet been made.
Jalen Rose, a game analyst for college basketball with NBC/Peacock, also brings NBA studio and analyst experience from his tenure with ESPN/ABC.
NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood, who is leading the charge in forming the new team, noted, “It’s been a fun challenge putting the puzzle pieces together to create a new team for one of the most exciting launches in our company’s history.”
He added that although it’s still early in the development stage, the core team consisting of Mike, Jamal, and Frank creates a solid foundation for future growth.
