Amazon Prime Video’s inaugural NBA studio coverage will feature former NBA stars Dirk Nowitzki and Blake Griffin, according to sources briefed on the streamer’s plans.
Amazon signed Griffin and Nowitzki to join host Taylor Rooks when the platform begins its NBA package later this calendar year. Amazon will start its 11-year, nearly $20 billion agreement with the NBA during the 2025-26 season. The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch previously reported that Rooks would be the host.
Amazon has already tabbed Ian Eagle as the platform’s lead play-by-play caller. Amazon will move into new territory of the sports streaming evolution and have the highest level of major postseason action on the medium as six conference finals will air exclusively on the platform. It has not yet been determined whom Eagle will be paired with.
While these are some of the initial hires for Amazon, it is far from done as it needs to add more game-callers and analysts. The streamer has held talks with Dwyane Wade about a position with studio and/or game duties in play, sources briefed on the discussions said.
Amazon declined comment on the moves.
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Amazon’s NBA hires seem to follow the same route as its NFL “Thursday Night Football” package. Eagle is similar to Al Michaels in that Eagle will give the live games instant credibility.
On the studio side, Amazon’s NFL crew went with mostly newcomers, centered around former players Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andrew Whitworth and Richard Sherman, trying to put forth a younger presentation compared to the established networks. Nowitzki and Griffin would be in the same vein as ex-players. Nowitzki’s addition could also be targeted as Amazon may feature European stars on potential daytime broadcasts in the U.S. that are primetime in Europe.
The NBA TV free agency game is in flux with TNT Sports exiting the game space and with NBC/Peacock and Amazon joining ABC/ESPN as the trio of platforms to present the leagues’ action over the next decade-plus. ESPN, the incumbent remaining in the new arrangement, has already fired the first salvo by importing TNT’s iconic “Inside The NBA.” While Shaquille O’Neal remains unsigned, the two sides have moved closer to an agreement, according to sources briefed on discussions, and the expectation is that he will remain on the program.
Charles Barkley recently muddied the waters by saying on “The Dan Patrick Show” he was still talking with NBC and Amazon about moving on from “Inside The NBA.” Barkley had previously told The Athletic that he is in the midst of a 10-year, $210 million contract with TNT. TNT is leasing the show to ESPN, and the “Inside The NBA” crew is still expected to be on TNT Sports.
ESPN continues to figure out its No. 1 game crew for this NBA season. While incumbents Mike Breen and Doris Burke are set, the network has held tryouts to add a third person to the group for this year’s NBA Finals. Richard Jefferson, Jay Bilas and Tim Legler have auditioned, and Jefferson has been considered the favorite. However, it could be a one-year arrangement with ESPN realigning again when its new deal goes into effect. Amazon has shown some interest in Jefferson, according to sources briefed on the discussions.
NBC will have Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle as its lead play-by-play callers. The network has also hired Jamal Crawford as a game analyst, though what number he is on the depth chart has not yet been determined. NBC has also had talks with Reggie Miller.
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