ESPN’s NBA Finals Trio Faces Uncertain Future Amid Changes

New York, NY – The 2025 NBA Finals, featuring the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers, marks a significant moment for ESPN‘s broadcasting team. Play-by-play announcer Mike Breen is joined by analysts Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson, creating their first Finals trio together. This combination may also be their last, as both Burke and Jefferson’s positions are under review.

Since ESPN dismissed veteran analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson in 2023, the network has struggled to find a stable broadcasting team. Breen, a Hall of Fame announcer, now finds himself leading a new trio that has yet to establish a cohesive rhythm. Burke, promoted to the top team after the 2023 Finals, and Jefferson, who has displayed potential, have both faced scrutiny as the network reassesses its talent roster.

“It’s a team game,” Breen noted about the importance of chemistry in broadcasting. “We need to find our flow, like we had in the past.” ESPN’s decision to promote Burke and add Jefferson came after a series of quick changes, including the brief tenures of Doc Rivers and JJ Redick, both of whom moved on to coaching positions shortly after joining the network.

The backdrop of this year’s Finals highlights the challenges ESPN faces in the wake of significant changes. Burke’s role, while lauded, is not guaranteed beyond this season. Current reports indicate the network plans to re-sign Jefferson, even as he entertains interest from Amazon Prime Video.

Moreover, sources suggest that ESPN executives will debate whether Burke might thrive better in a two-person team format rather than a three-person setup. The organization is analyzing how to best utilize their talent as they navigate a new broadcasting deal that secures the NBA Finals for the next decade.

This year’s Finals will put Breen, Burke, and Jefferson to the test as they aim to establish a lasting broadcasting legacy. Burke’s impressive career has earned her a spot in the Basketball Hall of Fame, yet the challenge remains for the trio to create a smooth synergy before the grand finale of the season.

As the Finals unfold, fans remain hopeful that this new team can find their footing and deliver the thrilling coverage that has become synonymous with ESPN basketball broadcasts.