In efforts to build its NBA broadcasting team for next season, NBC agreed to a deal with Jamal Crawford to call NBA games, sources briefed on the discussions told The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand on Tuesday. Crawford is reportedly the network’s first free-agent hire.
NBC agrees for Jamal Crawford to become its first free-agent hire
Crawford had been with TNT Sports and NBA TV before the new TV contracts with NBC/Peacock, ABC/ESPN, and Amazon Prime Video were agreed upon. He is set to cover a limited number of local Knicks games on MSG Network in New York.
While the contracts aren’t signed yet, nor is Crawford’s exact place on NBC’s depth chart fully defined, Marchand made it clear that Crawford is expected to call games, per sources.
NBC is also interested in another high-profile analyst for its game coverage. The network is pursuing TNT’s lead analyst Reggie Miller for its game broadcast, according to multiple reports.
If an agreement is reached, Miller is expected to cover NBC’s most highly anticipated matchups. However, the talks are ongoing, and no offers have been made yet.
NBC/Peacock will begin their 11-year contract next season
Furthermore, NBC/Peacock will begin their 11-year, near $27 billion deal next season. The expected lead play-by-play announcers are the network’s No. 1 and 2 football game callers, Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle.
NBC/Peacock will likely need at least four broadcast teams, meaning it has plenty of hires to go. Beginning next year, Peacock will have exclusive games each Monday.
On Tuesdays, NBC will have national games, but the network will divide them regionally with two games. Regardless of East Coast or West Coast matchups, both games would also be available on Peacock as well.
After Sunday Night Football ends, NBC will have Sunday Night Basketball in prime time to end the weekends. ABC/ESPN and Amazon Prime Video are slated to feature extended playoff coverage.
In six of the 11 seasons, NBC will air one of the conference finals.
Jefferson is the favorite to join NBA Finals crew
Of course, ABC/ESPN has yet to fill all available roles. Mike Breen and Doris Burke are covering the NBA Finals, while ESPN is contemplating whether or not to add Richard Jefferson, Jay Bilas, or Tim Legler to the crew.
Jefferson is the front-runner since he was already selected to call the NBA Cup Final with Breen and Burke. ESPN and TNT also announced a deal for next season that will bring “Inside the NBA” as its lead pregame program.
The “Inside the NBA” commentator quartet of Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson Jr., Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O’Neal will remain with the show.
Amazon Prime Video agreed with Ian Eagle to be its No. 1 play-by-play announcer but has yet to hire any analysts. Top names in mind include Blake Griffin, Dirk Nowitzki, Jefferson, and Stan Van Gundy.
Additionally, ESPN will continue to broadcast “NBA Countdown” and “NBA Today.”
