There aren't many people that have shot up the sports media ranks as quickly as JJ Redick.
The ESPN broadcaster was named to the network's lead NBA broadcast team earlier this year. Along with Hall of Famers in Mike Breen and Doris Burke, the trio will be calling the NBA Finals.
On top of this work with ESPN, the 15-year NBA veteran has also created several successful podcasts, most recently one called "Mind The Game" which he hosts alongside NBA superstar LeBron James.
Redick has become a fixture in NBA sports media as he's mixed his veteran savvy with an analytical approach to sports that's often associated with pundits who have never played professional basketball. His credibility as an NBA veteran and former college star with Duke has allowed him to create relationships with tons of NBA players and also blend in with the media.
He's done it all in his post-playing career, despite only retiring from the NBA in 2021.
The 39-year-old's star has risen so quickly that former ESPN host Dan Le Batard has even said that he believes Redick will make more money throughout his career in sports media than the over $115 million he made over 15 years in the NBA.
However, there is something that could pull Redick away from the media very soon — and that's the chance to return to the NBA as a coach.
Redick has been reported to be a candidate for head coaching roles for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Charlotte Hornets — despite the fact that he's never been a head coach outside of his 9-year-old son's team.
He's also admitted that he's been approached by several teams in the past, both as an assistant and head coach, including last year when he was interviewed for the lead coaching gig with the Toronto Raptors.
The Los Angeles Lakers have parted ways with coach Darvin Ham, and sources tell me and @jovanbuha an extensive search will commence soon, with candidates such as Mike Budenholzer, Kenny Atkinson, JJ Redick and, if he becomes available, Ty Lue among others.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 3, 2024
But why would Redick pass up a high-paying job in media that he's continuing to grow in order to move over to the stress of the NBA sidelines? Here are the cases for both sides.
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Going to the NBA
The first case for becoming a coach in the NBA would be the money.
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has an annual salary of $17.5 million, the highest in terms of yearly salary. Earlier this year, the Miami Heat's Erik Spoelstra reportedly agreed to the largest contract for an NBA coach ever worth $120 million over eight years.
The head coaching market has shot up drastically over the past several seasons as multiple coaches have received annual salaries in the tens of millions, though most of them have multiple championships under their belt. Redick would not have that resume, but he would come as a high profile hire — and probably would drive a hard bargain given he's likely already making nine-figures as a broadcaster.
The competitiveness and will to win in the league may also be a driver for Redick. The veteran did not finish his career with an NBA championship, and made the Finals only one time during his rookie season.
Since his retirement, Redick has constantly talked about his obsessiveness with the sport from when he was a player and how difficult it was for him to walk away from the game. His podcast with James has also given fans and team officials a public glimpse at Redick's knowledge for the X's and O's of the game — all while talking to the star of the Lakers.
It's unclear whether Redick will be able to still have some sort of media presence while coaching — that may be a lot harder than when he was a player in terms of time and acceptance from team management — but this option at least gives him the chance to juggle both.
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Staying in the Media
Broadcasting and media is not an easy job by any means. The likes of Stephen A. Smith stay up into the wee hours of the night to hop on meetings just to prepare for the early morning show. There are also a ton of late nights and weekends calling games, which will certainly be on Redick's schedule. That's all on top of his other endeavors, like running "ThreeFourTwo Productions," his company that hosts several of his podcasts.
But many would argue that it's no where near as stressful as coaching. The managing of players and the game is only a part of the job, which includes speaking to the media and taking criticism. NBA coaches are constantly fired — which explains the openings that are available — and the lack of job security could be an issue.
Redick's coaching performance could also significantly change the brand he's built which has made him so successful in the media space.
There's also the case that Redick could eventually make the same money — if not more — in the media. ESPN is reportedly paying Pat McAfee around $17 million per year, while Stephen A. Smith is at $12 million. The latter's number is also expected to skyrocket if he re-signs.
While those two are more studio hosts, there's also Troy Aikman, who calls "Monday Night Football," who is reportedly receiving $18 million a year. Redick could work for a contract similar to his NBA coaching salary while still having the flexibility to work on his other endeavors that could have unlimited earning potential.
The media role has also allowed him to live in New York with his family. Redick has stressed the importance of this as toward the tail end of his career, he was searching for East Coast teams to play for so he could be near his wife and sons.
Redick has shot his podcast and some ESPN segments from New York, while traveling out for games and returning home afterwards. But a head coaching job will surely mean time away from his family or needing them to uproot to his new team's location.
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Conclusion
Ultimately, this is a great problem for Redick to have, as either job will pay him well and keep him around the game he loves. He's already showcased his abilities with a headset, so trying his hand at coaching and returning to media eventually will be on the table.
This will likely just come down to whether Redick has that fire to become a coach and see how he can lead an NBA franchise to the promised land.
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