Tirico will serve as the lead play-by-play voice for NBC Sports’ NBA coverage beginning with the 2025-26 season; Formerly called NBA Games for ESPN from 2002 to 2016
Tirico adds the NBA to its portfolio of NBC Sports properties, including the Olympics, Sunday Night FootballKentucky Derby, major golf events and more
STAMFORD, Conn. – January 22, 2025 – Mike Tiricowho called NBA games for 15 seasons for ESPN from 2002 to 2016, returns to the NBA as NBC Sports’ lead play-by-play voice when its coverage of the association begins with the 2025-26 season in October on NBC and Peacock. .
Tirico is the voice of many of NBC Sports’ biggest events, serving as prime-time host of the Olympics and as the play-by-play voice for Sunday Night Footballon track to become the #1 show in prime time on television for a record 14 consecutive years. Since joining NBC Sports in 2016, Tirico has also hosted or called high-profile events such as the Kentucky Derby, the Indianapolis 500, the Stanley Cup Playoffs and Finals, team tryouts Olympic Games, the US Open of Golf, the Open Championship, THE PLAYERS and the TOUR Championship. , and more.
“I couldn’t be more excited to get back on the court calling NBA games,” Tirico said. “My 15 years spent following the best basketball players in the world still remain one of the highlights of my career. Like so many others, my love of the league was established during the unforgettable days of the NBA on NBC in the 90s. The chance to be part of the team that brings this iconic partnership back to life has us incredibly excited.
He is expected to work one or more games per week once NBC Sports’ coverage of the NFL and the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics ends in February 2026. He will call some games before then, including the opener of the NBA season in October 2025.
“We are thrilled that Big Event Mike Tirico will return to his courtside seat as the NBA returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock,” said Sam Floodexecutive producer, NBC Sports. “From the Olympic Games to Sunday Night Football to golf’s major championships and now the NBA, Mike is the most versatile voice in sports.
Tirico has extensive NBA experience, having called approximately 375 regular season and playoff games from 2002 to 2016 for ABC, ESPN and ESPN Radio. From 2003 to 2005, Tirico was the studio’s lead host for ESPN’s coverage, including the NBA Finals and the presentation of the Larry O’Brien Trophy to NBA champions. Additionally, in 2007-2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015, he served as the play-by-play voice of the NBA Finals on ESPN Radio.
During his 15 seasons calling games for ESPN, he worked the majority of games with Hubie Brownbut his other analyst partners included Jon Barry, Doris Burke, PJ Carlesimo, Sean Elliott, Jeff Van Gundy, Mark Jackson, Steve Snapper-Jones, George Karl, Tim Legler, Chris Mullin, Dr. Jack Ramsay, Jalen Rose (now on NBC Sports’ college basketball coverage), Tom TolbertAnd Bill Walton.
Tirico is a two-time recipient of the Sports Emmy Award for Outstanding Sports Personality, Studio Host, winning consecutive years in 2022 and 2023. Last summer, he received critical acclaim for his role as daytime and hourly host prime time of the show. The Paris Olympics, which saw a daily audience of more than 30 million viewers across NBC, Peacock and other NBCU platforms. In January 2025, Tirico was elected to the National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Hall of Fame. For more information about Tirico, click here.
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NBC Sports has already announced that Jamal Crawford will join its coverage as a gaming analyst and Emmy award-winning producer Frank DiGraci will serve as coordinating producer.
In July 2024, NBCUniversal and the NBA announced an 11-year agreement to show NBA and WNBA regular season and playoff basketball games on multiple platforms beginning in the 2025-26 season. . For more information on the agreement, click here.
As previously announced, Peacock will broadcast live exclusive national Monday night games, while NBC/Peacock will feature national coverage of regional doubleheaders on Tuesday nights. NBC Sports to launch Sunday Night Basketball in 2026 on NBC and Peacock, providing NBA fans with three consecutive nights of national coverage across NBCUniversal platforms during the second half of the regular season.
More information on NBC Sports’ 2025-26 NBA coverage will be announced soon.
ABOUT NBC SPORTS
NBC Sports connects sports fans to the moments that matter most with premier live events, insightful studio shows and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports produces, programs and promotes premium content across numerous linear and digital platforms, including NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports has an unrivaled collection of media rights agreements, establishing partnerships and featuring many of the world’s most prestigious sports properties: the International Olympic Committee, the International Paralympic Committee, the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Big Ten. Conference, Big East Conference, Notre Dame, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of America, The R&A, Churchill Downs, Premier League and many more. He is renowned for elevating major events and has produced some of the most-watched sporting events in American media history, including the Olympics, the Super Bowl and Sunday Night Footballthe #1 show on prime time television for 13 consecutive years.
–NBC SPORTS–
