"Sad to see these reports leaked" - Pacers coach Rick Carlisle weighs in on rumors around Doris Burke’s broadcasting future

Rick Carlisle addressed the media hours before tip-off of Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday. The Indiana Pacers coach discussed his team’s excitement to face the OKC Thunder and also commented on reports involving ESPN analyst Doris Burke.

Two days earlier, Andrew Marchand of The Athletic wrote a story about the ESPN team of Doris Burke, Mike Breen and Richard Jefferson calling the championship round. However, he added that Burke's future with ESPN was uncertain.

Carlisle was unhappy with the development. According to Carlisle, Burke is “a great example of courage” who helped aspiring women broadcasters. He named multiple female reporters whom Burke paved the way for and said his 21-year-old daughter was influenced by the Hall of Fame journalist.

“I saw the things that were leaked yesterday about Doris Burke, and I just wanna say a couple of things. She has changed the game for women in broadcasting. … It was so sad to see these reports leaked. Really unnecessary before such a celebrated event.”

Explore the NBA Draft 2024 with our free NBA Mock Draft Simulator & be the GM of your favorite NBA team.

Expand Tweet

Marchand wrote that ESPN is trying to recapture the magic formula it had with Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson in years past. Following the firing of the former coaches, the network has not found the same chemistry. He reported that while Jefferson could be retained, Burke’s time could be over.

“Burke’s spot is not guaranteed for next season, according to sources familiar with ESPN’s preliminary plans. While Breen, the Basketball Hall of Famer under a long-term deal, is not going anywhere, ESPN will evaluate its entire roster.”

Expand Tweet

Fans react to Rick Carlisle supporting Doris Burke

Many fans saw the clip of Rick Carlisle’s comments about Doris Burke and reacted on X. The majority were critical of Burke as a broadcaster.

Rick Carlisle believes Doris Burke could do well coaching, as she has the basketball knowledge to excel in that role. What the future holds for her is anybody’s guess. In the meantime, she will be on live TV analyzing the 2025 NBA Finals.

About the author

Michael Macasero brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his coverage of basketball at Sportskeeda with over 18 years of diverse work experience. This includes stints at Convergys, Interpace and RunRepeat.

Michael's background in English and Journalism has provided him with the analytical skills and precision necessary for creating content, and he is a lifelong fan of the Boston Celtics. His favorite players include legends like Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, modern stars like Tim Duncan, and Nikola Jokic, as well as emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Michael respects Gregg Popovich, despite his contentious demeanor in interviews, and recognizes Popovich's genius in adapting his coaching style to maximize the talent on his roster over the years. Michael eagerly anticipates seeing how Popovich will structure the offense around emerging talent like Victor Wembanyama.

Understanding the story and details is crucial to Michael's reporting philosophy and he believes overlooking details, particularly when pressed for time, can lead to misunderstandings and inaccurate conclusions.

Aside from work, Michael's children are his hobbies, and he also likes to go running, swimming and weightlifting.

Know More

Pacers Fan? Check out the latest Indiana Pacers depth chart, schedule, and roster updates all in one place.

Edited by Michael Macasero