The NBA’s TV deals with ESPN and new partners NBC and Amazon will take effect next season. In preparation, the NBA’s new broadcast partners have been assembling their broadcasting teams and studio shows. Former stars Dirk Nowitzki and Blake Griffin will join Amazon, while Jamal Crawford has signed with NBC as an analyst.
On Tuesday, the next domino fell, as NBC announced its lead NBA play-by-play announcer.
Mike Tirico Announced as NBC’s Lead NBA Play-By-Play Announcer
Nostalgic NBA fans who grew up watching Michael Jordan in the 1990s have been eagerly awaiting the sport’s return to NBC for more than 24 years. This past summer, the NBA and NBC made their reunion official, signing an 11-year agreement worth an estimated $2.5 billion per year. The deal grants NBC rights to regular season games and first-round playoff coverage.
In anticipation of the NBA’s return to NBC, the network has already started ramping up promotion of its NBA coverage.
COMING THIS FALL: The stars of the @NBA are aligning on @NBC and @peacock! pic.twitter.com/FRlQk4YCTt
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) January 13, 2025
After announcing Crawford — a 21-year NBA veteran and three-time Sixth Man of the Year winner — as its first studio show hire, NBC confirmed that Tirico will serve as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer for its NBA broadcasts.
Tirico joined NBC nine years ago, bringing extensive experience from his time at ESPN, where he covered a wide range of sports, including the NBA.
“I could not be more thrilled about returning courtside to call NBA games,” said Tirico. “My 15 years chronicling the best basketball players in the world still stand as one of the highlights of my career. Like so many others, my love of the league took hold during the unforgettable days of the NBA on NBC back in the ’90s. The chance to be part of the team bringing that iconic partnership back to life has us incredibly excited.”
According to NBC, Tirico will balance his roles as the network’s lead NBA and NFL play-by-play announcer by calling select games before February 2026, including the NBA’s season opener. After the NFL season and the Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games conclude next year, Tirico is expected to call one or more NBA games per week.
Since leaving ESPN in 2016, Tirico has enjoyed a remarkable run with NBC. Originally hired as the eventual successor to both Bob Costas and Al Michaels, Tirico has not only become the primetime host for the Olympics and the play-by-play announcer for Sunday Night Football, but has also called or hosted marquee events such as the Kentucky Derby, Indianapolis 500, Stanley Cup Playoffs, U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and The Players Championship.
