The NBA on ESPN returns Wednesday, and as ESPN embarks on the first year of its expanded media rights agreement with the league, it’s doubling down on innovation and fan engagement.
This milestone season not only keeps marquee events like the NBA Finals exclusively on ESPN, but also introduces enhanced production elements and deeper storytelling across platforms.
Complementing these efforts is the newly enhanced ESPN app and direct-to-consumer streaming offering, designed to deliver a seamless, personalized experience for fans wherever they are.
In this Q&A, hear from Tim Corrigan, ESPN Senior Vice President, Sports Production, about what to expect from ESPN’s next season of NBA coverage: from cutting-edge features like real-time shot tracking and locker room access to the integration of iconic programming such as Inside the NBA, ESPN is redefining what comprehensive basketball coverage looks like in today’s media landscape.
This is the first year of ESPN’s new expanded media rights agreement with the NBA. How is that shaping your production strategy and what fans can expect in terms of expanded access or content?
We never lose sight of the fact that we are here to document the games because, ultimately, that’s why the fans are watching. Through access and innovation, compelling storytelling and intrepid reporting, we strive to provide the most informative and entertaining coverage of this endlessly fascinating league and the players, coaches and personnel that comprise it.
As we begin the first year of this new agreement, we are in a position of strength. We will continue to be the exclusive home of the most marquee events all year long, including the NBA Finals. We have added a tremendous analyst in Tim Legler to our lead broadcast team alongside Richard Jefferson and the legendary Mike Breen. We’ve also added an NBA Champion Head Coach Michael Malone to our NBA Countdown coverage, we’ve extended Doris Burke, Malika Andrews and Lisa Salters — three of the best in the industry — and we’re bringing in a 21-time Emmy Award®-winning show in Inside the NBA — which is far and away the biggest chip entering this new rights landscape.
We have our three-point shot tracker, enhanced graphics, player and coach mics, locker room hallway cameras and many other ways we are educating fans and bringing them closer to the game.
And, we’ve only just begun.
With Inside the NBA now airing on ESPN, how are you integrating its legacy and tone into ESPN’s broader NBA coverage?
Inside the NBA is one of the most popular shows, not only in sports, but across all media. Ernie, Chuck, Shaq and Kenny are cultural icons and any time you’re able to add those voices to your overall content offerings, you’re going to be in a great position to serve basketball fans.
When ESPN made the Inside the NBA deal, it was done because we wanted the same great show that fans know and love, and that’s what they’re going to get. We’re working closely with our counterparts at TNT Sports — TNT will continue to produce the show — and the transition has been incredibly smooth. Again, Inside the NBA will be the show fans love and now it will be attached to the highest-profile games all year long, including the NBA Finals for the first time.
Strictly from a studio perspective, we now have more NBA shows than ever before, and they’re all distinct in their content offerings. Inside the NBA, NBA Countdown, NBA Today and Hoop Streams will all document the sport in their signature ways. When you consider our studio and game coverage, our digital and social platforms, ESPN Radio offerings — all capped off by the enhanced ESPN App experience — we’ve never been more prepared to cover this league.
