San Francisco-based National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise Golden State Warriors used this graphic featuring World War II-era character Rosie the Riveter and the slogan “Hear us Roar” during Women’s History Month in March 2018. Courtesy Golden State Warriors/NBA.
- 2 all-female NBA TV broadcasts (off video monitors) aired simultaneously on March 24, 2021 in Canada and Brazil
- first all-female NBA TV regional broadcast with all on-air talent ON SITE aired in Sacramento Kings TV territory in parts of Northern California on March 27, 2021
- first all-female NBA terrestrial free-to-air radio broadcast aired in Golden State Warriors media territory in the San Francisco Bay Area on March 29, 2021
- Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers hired Lisa Byington and Kate Scott as full time regional television play-by-play commentators in September 2021
- 36 women were assigned by ESPN (US) to produce English-language all-female NBA broadcast on February 9, 2022 which aired live on ESPN-branded linear TV networks in every country on 3 continents (North America, South America and Oceania) and was distributed by NBA International to Astro SuperSport 4 in Malaysia for live and same-day delayed broadcast
By Oliver Tse
Email: workingnow88@workingnow88.com
Twitter: @workingnow88
Originally published on March 24, 2021 and updated on March 28, September 25, 29, October 7, 8, 11, 22, November 1, December 24 and 29, 2021, January 12, 21 and 29, February 3, 9 and 14, 2022
Note: this is an ongoing story taking place in real time. I will update this article as necessary.
SAN FRANCISCO – The concept of assigning female play-by-play commentators to live broadcasts of major men’s professional team sports contests has entered the “gold rush” phase in many parts of the world, particularly in the Americas, less than 4 years after sports media executive producers noticed the significant value in these assignments.
On September 21, 2017, CBS News reporter Reena Ninan interviewed legendary sports television play-by-play announcer Beth Mowins, 10 days after she called play-by-play commentary of the Denver Broncos vs Los Angeles Chargers National Football League (NFL) game for ESPN (U.S.) Monday Night Football on September 11 and 3 days prior to calling play-by-play commentary of the Indianapolis Colts vs Cleveland Browns NFL game on September 24 for regional broadcast on selected free-to-air terrestrial broadcast television stations affiliated with the CBS broadcast network. Courtesy CBS News.
Highlights from Final Match of FIFA Men’s World Cup Russia 2018 (France vs Croatia on July 15, 2018) as broadcast on Mexican free-to-air terrestrial broadcast TV network Televisa Canal 9 (El Nueve). Commentators ON SITE at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia from left to right: Iris Cisneros (MEX, play-by-play commentator), Ana Caty Hernández (MEX, match analyst/co-commentator) and Gaby Fernández de Lara (MEX, play-by-play commentator). This all-female broadcast, one of 4 broadcasts offered by Televisa Deportes (which, along with Univisión Deportes of the US, adopted the “TUDN” brand in July 2019) and one of 6 broadcasts available to viewers in Mexico, averaged 1.4 million viewers according to the Nielsen IBOPE TV ratings service. Video courtesy FIFA/Televisa Deportes.
Even though a small group of self-serving female sportscasters apparently organized a one-day labor “action” to scuttle several planned all-female English Premier League men’s soccer broadcasts in both the United Kingdom (UK) and around the world on International Women’s Day, Monday March 8, 2021 (resulting in 2 English-language television broadcasts of the Chelsea vs Everton match, one on BT Sport 1 in the UK and one on Premier League TV available in many parts of the English speaking world except the UK and the US, both of which needed male play-by-play commentators to go with mostly female on-air casts), their labor “action” merely postponed the inevitable.
The unstoppable force known as the “Beth Mowins Effect” is going GLOBAL.
Sportscaster Beth Mowins was featured in Episode 5 of the “Unstoppable” documentary video series profiling women involved with the National Football League (NFL). The video, which also contain interviews with Oakland Raiders television analyst/former quarterback Rich Gannon and sportscaster Kate Scott, was shot in the San Francisco Bay Area on August 23-24, 2018 while Mowins was assigned by the Oakland Raiders syndicated television network to call television play-by-play commentary of the Oakland Raiders vs Green Bay Packers NFL pre-season game at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California. Courtesy NFL/Oakland Raiders/Marriott International via Facebook.
The Women’s History Month celebration in March 2021 has allowed the National Basketball Association (NBA), one of only 2 men’s professional team sports leagues on Earth (the other being the English Premier League) to have teams located in no more than 2 countries to have achieved global relevance in over 200 countries on every continent, to increase the number of women who have called play-by-play commentary of an NBA regular season game on any medium, from 3 to 7.
4 more women have since called play-by-play commentary of their first NBA game to bring the total to 11.
Furthermore, two of these women were hired in September 2021 as full time regional television play-by-play commentators, thus becoming the first two women to be employed full time as regional television play-by-play commentators by franchises of the “big 4” professional team sports leagues in the U.S. and Canada.
In this article, I will present the stories of all 11 women: 9 from the US, 1 from Canada, and 1 from Brazil who have joined this unique sorority.
Leandra Reilly (USA)
30 years after her history-making regional television broadcasts as play-by-play commentator of 2 New Jersey Nets NBA regular season games on SportsChannel New York, Leandra Reilly posed for this photo taken by Maddie Rowley of the Destin, Florida newspaper The Destin Log in February 2018. Courtesy The Destin Log.
Chicago native Leandra Reilly was a Long Island, New York-based freelance sportscaster who called play-by-play commentary of many men’s and women’s “Olympic” sports, including women’s college basketball, for both ESPN (US) and Turner Sports during the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Reilly was the play-by-play commentator of men’s indoor volleyball during the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow, Russia for syndicated broadcasts on many free-to-air broadcast television stations in the US, as well as for “SuperStation” WTBS-TV 17 Atlanta, Georgia which was available via pay cable TV throughout the US.
“SuperStation” WTBS-TV 17 Atlanta, Georgia, USA broadcast of the Soviet Union vs USA Men’s Indoor Volleyball Gold Medal match from the 1986 Goodwill Games in Moscow, Russia on July 19, 1986. Play-by-play commentator: Leandra Reilly (USA). Match analyst: Mike O’Hara (USA). Studio hosts: Bob Neal (USA) and Mary Anne Laughlin (USA). Courtesy Turner Broadcasting System (TBS)/WarnerMedia/AT&T.
In 1987, Reilly was one the candidates under consideration by maverick NBC Sports Executive Producer Michael Wiesman to call play-by-play commentary of a National Football League (NFL) regular season game, but she lost out to WFLA-TV 8 Tampa, Florida news anchor Gayle Sierens who called the Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs NFL game for regional broadcast on selected terrestrial free-to-air television stations affiliated with the NBC television network on Sunday, December 26, 1987.
The NBA franchise then known as the New Jersey Nets, in conjunction with its regional television broadcast partner SportsChannel New York (now known as MSG+), hired then 28-year-old Reilly to fill in for play-by-play commentator Steve Albert for 2 NBA game broadcasts, 1 at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey against the Philadelphia 76ers on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 1988, and the other at Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts against the Boston Celtics on March 2, 1988. Reilly worked with eccentric and very colorful game analyst Bill Raftery on both game broadcasts.
“…I didn’t embarrass the human race. I didn’t embarrass other broadcasters across America, and I certainly didn’t embarrass women.” – NBA New Jersey Nets regional television play-by-play commentator Leandra Reilly during the post-game press conference after her history-making broadcast on February 14, 1988
Video clip from the SportsChannel New York regional television broadcast of the Philadelphia 76ers at New Jersey Nets National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season game at Brendan Byrne Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA on February 14, 1998. Play-by-play commentator: Leandra Reilly (USA). Game analyst: Bill Raftery (USA). Courtesy Brooklyn Nets/MSG Networks/NBA Entertainment.
30 years later, Reilly would reflect on her history-making NBA television broadcasts in this video:
In February 2018, former sportscaster Leandra Reilly appeared in this video produced by Destin, Florida newspaper The Destin Log to reflect on her two NBA regional television play-by-play commentary assignments in 1988. Courtesy The Destin Log via YouTube.
Reilly and her husband, former Turner Sports college football game producer Michael Lardner, currently own and operate their own residential real estate brokerage business in Miramar Beach, Florida.
Marney Gellner (USA)
NBA Minnesota Timberwolves regional television play-by-play commentator Marney Gellner (USA, left) and game analyst Jim Petersen (USA) during the opening tease of their broadcast of the Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls game from United Center in Chicago, Illinois, USA on regional sports network FOX Sports North on December 26, 2018. Courtesy Minnesota Timberwolves/Sinclair Broadcast Group/NBA Entertainment.
Absurdly, all 30 NBA franchises collectively waited over 30 years before an NBA team would assign the second woman to fill-in as regional television play-by-play commentator.
Minot, North Dakota native Marney Gellner, who serves as the play-by-play commentator for regional television broadcasts of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) franchise Minnesota Lynx and the sideline reporter during regional television broadcasts of the NBA franchise Minnesota Timberwolves on Sinclair Broadcast Group-owned regional sports network FOX Sports North (which was renamed Bally Sports North on March 31, 2021), filled in for Timberwolves regional television play-by-play commentator Dave Benz for 3 game broadcasts in December 2018-February 2019 when Benz had to take time off to visit his ailing father.
Highlights from the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chicago Bulls NBA regular season game at United Center In Chicago, Illinois, USA on December 26, 2018 as broadcast on regional sports network FOX Sports North. Play-by-play commentator: Marney Gellner (USA). Game analyst: Jim Petersen (USA). Courtesy Minnesota Timberwolves/Sinclair Broadcast Group/NBA Entertainment.
Gellner worked with Timberwolves regional television game analyst Jim Petersen for all 3 broadcasts. In addition, then Minnesota Lynx forward Rebekah Brunson joined both Gellner and Petersen during the Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans regional television broadcast on February 8, 2019 to make history as no prior NBA broadcast on any medium had 2 women working together on air.
From left to right: NBA Minnesota Timberwolves regional television play-by-play commentator Marney Gellner (USA), game analyst Rebekah Brunson (USA) and FOX Sports North producer Vanessa Lambert (USA) prior to the Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans game from Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA on February 8, 2019. Courtesy Twitter.
Highlights from the Minnesota Timberwolves at New Orleans Pelicans NBA regular season game at Smoothie King Center In New Orleans, Louisiana, USA on February 8, 2019 as broadcast on regional sports network FOX Sports North. Play-by-play commentator: Marney Gellner (USA). Game analysts: Rebekah Brunson (USA) and Jim Petersen (USA). Courtesy Minnesota Timberwolves/Sinclair Broadcast Group/NBA Entertainment.
Besides basketball, Gellner has also called play-by-play commentary of men’s Major League Baseball (MLB) Spring Training (preseason) games involving the Minnesota Twins.
The Minnesota Timberwolves and FOX Sports North had multiple opportunities to capture the publicity value from the first-ever all-female NBA television broadcast, but passed on all of them including on International Women’s Day, Sunday, March 8, 2020. That decision would ultimately open the door for the Toronto Raptors and its regional television partner The Sports Network (TSN), as well as for ESPN Brasil, on March 24, 2021.
Lisa Byington (USA)
NBA Chicago Bulls regional television play-by-play commentator Lisa Byington (USA, left) and game analyst Stacey King (USA) during the opening tease of their broadcast of the Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies game from FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, USA on regional sports network NBC Sports Chicago on February 27, 2019. Courtesy Chicago Bulls/NBC Sports Group/NBA Entertainment.
A Portage, Michigan native who was coached by her father in high school, basketball point guard Lisa Byington attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois where she played both Big Ten Conference Division I women’s college basketball as a scholarship player, and women’s college soccer as a “walk-on”.
Byington has built a successful career spanning over 20 years as a sportscaster, first as sports news anchor and reporter at several terrestrial broadcast TV stations in Michigan before she joined FOX Sports (US)-operated Big Ten Network in Chicago as freelance reporter, studio host, and play-by-play commentator of men’s and women’s sports including American Football, basketball, volleyball and soccer.
She has also freelanced for Turner Sports as a play-by-play commentator (the first woman to be assigned that role) and sideline reporter during the NCAA Division I Men’s College Basketball Tournament a.k.a. “March Madness”:
The final 5 minutes of the Abilene Christian University vs University of Texas at Austin NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament Round of 64 game at Lucas Oil Stadium – Unity (South) Court in Indianapolis, Indiana on March 21, 2021 as broadcast on U.S. pay TV network truTV. Play-by-play commentator: Lisa Byington (USA). Game analyst: Steve Smith (USA). Courtside reporter: Lauren Shehadi (USA). Courtesy NCAA/Turner Sports.
…and for FOX Sports (US) as a play-by-play commentator of Big East Conference and Big Ten Conference Division I men’s and women’s college basketball.
Marquette University guard Natisha Hiedeman hit this shot from half court to beat the buzzer ending the 1st quarter during the Big East Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship game against DePaul University at Al McGuire Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on March 7, 2017 as broadcast on U.S. all-sports pay TV network FS1. Play-by-play commentator: Lisa Byington (USA). Game analyst: LaChina Robinson (USA). Courtesy Big East Conference/FOX Sports (US).
FOX Sports (US) Senior Vice President of Remote Production Judy Boyd assigned Byington to the play-by-play commentator position of the DC United vs New England Revolution men’s Major League Soccer (MLS) match broadcast on all-sports pay TV network FS1 as part of an all-female broadcast team on August 19, 2018. Byington was only the 3rd woman overall to call play-by-play commentary of an MLS match (after French Canadian sportscaster Claudine Douville and Mexican sportscaster Iris Cisneros) and the first woman to do so in English.
The DC United vs New England Revolution Major League Soccer (MLS) match on August 19, 2018 as broadcast on pay TV network FS1 (formerly FOX Sports 1). Play-by-play commentator: Lisa Byington (USA). Match analyst: Danielle Slaton (USA). Touchline reporter: Katie Witham (USA). Courtesy MLS/FOX Sports (US).
Byington is also the play-by-play commentator of WNBA Chicago Sky regional television broadcasts, both on site for home games and off monitor from a studio in Chicago for away games.
Byington became the third woman to call play-by-play commentary for an NBA regional television broadcast on February 27, 2019, when she filled in for Chicago Bulls regional television play-by-play commentator Neil Funk to call the Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies game broadcast on regional sports network NBC Sports Chicago.
Highlights from the Chicago Bulls at Memphis Grizzlies NBA regular season game at FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, USA on February 27, 2019 as broadcast on regional sports network NBC Sports Chicago. Play-by-play commentator: Lisa Byington (USA). Game analyst: Stacey King (USA). Courtesy Chicago Bulls/NBC Sports Group/NBA Entertainment.
Byington filled in again for Funk for multiple Chicago Bulls away games during the 2019-2020 NBA season, including her most memorable game broadcast on November 23, 2019, when the Bulls visited the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Bulls point guard Zach Lavine hit a 3-point shot with 1 second remaining to win the game 116-115 and Byington’s eccentric and very colorful game analyst partner, former Bulls center Stacey King, went crazy:
“Oh, stop it! Stop it! Zach Lavine! Oh my goodness! Are you kidding me!”– Chicago Bulls regional television game analyst Stacey King
Highlights from the Chicago Bulls at Charlotte Hornets NBA regular season game at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA on November 23, 2019 as broadcast on regional sports network NBC Sports Chicago. Play-by-play commentator: Lisa Byington (USA). Game analyst: Stacey King (USA). Courtesy Chicago Bulls/NBC Sports Group/NBA Entertainment.
Former multi-sport play-by-play commentator and former Westwood One Radio Executive Vice President/General Manager David Halberstam (who now operates the Sports Broadcast Journal blog) and I have noticed that Byington has struggled as a television play-by-play commentator of multiple sports during the past 4 years.
In particular, I, who had originally suggested to FOX Sports (US) Executive Producer of World Cup Soccer David Neal in an email sent in June 2017 to consider Byington as a FIFA Women’s World Cup soccer play-by-play commentator, was disgusted with Byington’s performance during FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 for FOX Sports (US), in which she mispronounced at least half a dozen German names including the name of Germany Head Coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg (which Byington didn’t correct until she called Germany’s 3rd group stage match), in addition to mispronouncing French and Spanish names.
Byington also missed the referee’s hand signal for a goal (after the referee had received an audible electronic signal from goal line technology) during the Brazil vs Jamaica match on June 9, 2019 and she did not correct her original call of the goal as a “save” off the goal line by a Jamaican defender until 11 seconds after the ball had crossed the goal line and 8 seconds after the referee’s hand signal.
The second goal scored by forward Cristiane (BRA) during the Brazil vs Jamaica Group B match of FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 at Stade des Alps in Grenoble, France as broadcast on US all-sports pay TV network FS1. Play-by-play commentator: Lisa Byington (USA). Match analyst: Cat Whitehill (USA). Former official: Christina Unkel (USA). Courtesy FIFA/FOX Sports (US).
Byington put the final nail in her own coffin and destroyed whatever credibility she had left as a Women’s World Cup soccer play-by-play commentator when she pretended to be on site at Parc des Princes in Paris for the Sweden vs Canada Round of 16 match on June 24, 2019 by “tossing across the street” to studio host Rob Stone. Stone and the studio pundits were on set at Café du Trocadero in Paris which was located over 2 miles (4 km) from Parc des Princes. As for Byington, she and her analyst partner Cat Whitehill were nowhere near Paris, as they were actually broadcasting off monitor from the FOX Network Center on West Pico Boulevard in Los Angeles, California.
Update: On September 15, 2021, 2020-2021 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks hired Lisa Byington as the Bucks’ new regional TV play-by-play commentator on regional sports network Bally Sports Wisconsin.
Byington becomes the first woman to be hired by a franchise of a “Big 4” [National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), Major League Baseball and National Hockey League (NHL)] men’s professional team sports league in the United States and Canada to be its full time regional TV play-by-play commentator.
.@LisaByington becomes the first female full-time TV play-by-play announcer for a major men’s professional sports team.
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) September 15, 2021
Welcome to Milwaukee, Lisa!! pic.twitter.com/HYZXUqshOa
A message from @LisaByington to every Bucks fan: pic.twitter.com/yNP3nhGZOb
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) September 15, 2021
The Bucks hire Lisa Byington, the first full-time female play-by-play announcer for a major men’s pro sports team, to replace Jim Paschke https://t.co/u7XqKOMnPj
— Journal Sentinel (@journalsentinel) September 15, 2021
‘It’s great and it’s time’: New Milwaukee Bucks announcer Lisa Byington takes a big step forward for women in sports broadcasting https://t.co/gi4D1U1wK2
— Journal Sentinel (@journalsentinel) September 19, 2021
Portage native @LisaByington to @jackdoles after being named TV play-by-play caller for @Bucks: “I don’t chase history. Sometimes history finds you.” https://t.co/pdBBWts6WD
— WOOD TV8 (@WOODTV) September 16, 2021
Byington made her Milwaukee Bucks regional television debut when she called the Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks NBA preseason game on Sunday, October 10, 2021 with game analyst Marques Johnson.
Highlights from the Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks NBA preseason season game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on October 10, 2021 as broadcast on regional sports network Bally Sports Wisconsin. Play-by-play commentator: Lisa Byington (USA). Game analyst: Marques Johnson (USA). Courtesy Milwaukee Bucks/Sinclair Broadcast Group/NBA Entertainment.
Everybody give @LisaByington a big welcome!!
— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) October 21, 2021
We’re lucky to have you!! #FearTheDeer pic.twitter.com/31ERRuNTzp
October 7, 2021 update: Big Ten Conference commissioner Kevin Warren announced the establishment of the annual Lisa Byington Award, to be awarded to the most outstanding female sports broadcaster during Big Ten Student U student-produced sports event video broadcasts on the Big Ten Network Plus (B1G+) premium pay subscription streaming video service.
✅ 2-sport @NU_Sports athlete
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) October 7, 2021
✅ Accomplished @BigTen announcer
✅ 1st female NBA play-by-play voice (@Bucks)
And now @LisaByington helps a new generation. The Lisa Byington Award honors the most outstanding female @BTNstudentU broadcaster working on BTN’s B1G+. #B1GMediaDays pic.twitter.com/DD5Dasscgz
Zora Stephenson (USA)
Lisa Byington was actually the second woman to be assigned by the Milwaukee Bucks for its regional TV play-by-play commentary position, as Bucks President Peter Feigen had assigned courtside reporter Zora Stephenson to that role on April 9, 2021, when the Bucks hosted the Charlotte Hornets and Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer decided to rest all 5 regular starting players who played when the Bucks visited the Dallas Mavericks on April 8.
How Zora Stephenson made Bucks play-by-play history and took a step toward amplifying women’s voices in the NBA https://t.co/zB5K0EAYH0
— Journal Sentinel (@journalsentinel) April 15, 2021
Highlights from the Charlotte Hornets at Milwaukee Bucks NBA regular season game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on April 9, 2021 as broadcast on regional sports network Bally Sports Wisconsin. Play-by-play commentator: Zora Stephenson (USA). Game analyst: Marques Johnson (USA). Courtesy Milwaukee Bucks/Sinclair Broadcast Group/NBA Entertainment.
Stephenson filled in for Byington as the Bucks’ regional TV play-by-play commentator TWICE, on January 19 and 22, 2022, when Byington was not available.
Highlights from the Memphis Grizzlies at Milwaukee Bucks NBA regular season game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on January 19, 2022 as broadcast on regional sports network Bally Sports Wisconsin. Play-by-play commentator: Zora Stephenson (USA). Game analyst: Marques Johnson (USA). Courtesy Milwaukee Bucks/Sinclair Broadcast Group/NBA Entertainment.
Highlights from the Memphis Grizzlies at Milwaukee Bucks NBA regular season game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on January 22, 2022 as broadcast on regional sports network Bally Sports Wisconsin. Play-by-play commentator: Zora Stephenson (USA). Game analyst: Stephen Bardo (USA). Courtesy Milwaukee Bucks/Sinclair Broadcast Group/NBA Entertainment.
Natália Lara (Brazil)
ESPN Brasil freelance multi-sport play-by-play commentator Natália Lara (BRA, left) and basketball game analyst Alana Ambrosio (BRA, right) during the “SportsCenter Abre o Jogo” pre-game show prior to their broadcast of the Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks NBA regular season game on Brazilian all-sports pay TV network ESPN (Brazil) on March 24, 2021. Lara and Ambrosio were broadcasting off video monitors from their respective homes in São Paulo, Brazil due to the recent surge of COVID-19 infections in Brazil which forced ESPN Brasil to close its main production studio in São Paulo. Courtesy ESPN Brasil.
27-year-old São Paulo, Brazil-based sportscaster Natália Lara’s remarkable journey from formulating the idea of calling men’s professional basketball play-by-play commentary despite having zero prior experience broadcasting basketball on any medium at any level, to actually calling play-by-play commentary of her first NBA game professionally, took just 8 days!
Lara will also be recorded in sports television history worldwide as one of the biggest winners during Women’s History Month 2021.
Even though Lara is a complete unknown to almost everyone in North America, she has been on my radar since 2018, when she was a finalist in the Narra Quem Sabe reality show contest conducted by all-sports pay TV network FOX Sports Brasil (which was purchased by the Walt Disney Company in 2019 and was renamed “ESPN Quatro” on January 17, 2022) to select 3 women to call play-by-play commentary of FIFA Men’s World Cup Russia 2018 soccer matches on Brazilian all-sports pay TV network FOX Sports Dois (FOX Sports 2).
Profile video of sportscaster Natália Lara (BRA) from the Narra Quem Sabe reality show contest conducted by all-sports pay TV network FOX Sports Brasil (the present day ESPN Quatro) released in April 2018. Courtesy ESPN Brasil.
Sportscaster Natália Lara (BRA, second from left wearing yellow blouse) was a finalist in the Narra Quem Sabe reality show contest conducted by all-sports pay TV network FOX Sports Brasil (the present day ESPN Quatro) in March-May 2018. Courtesy ESPN Brasil.
After Lara lost out to 3 other women, she pushed on as a freelance play-by-play commentator of Brazilian Division 3 men’s soccer for DAZN Brasil, Division 1 women’s soccer for the Brazilian Futebol Confederation (CBF), and Brazilian women’s professional indoor volleyball.
Lara would finally get her big break when 30-year-old play-by-play commentator Renata Silveira, who was retained by FOX Sports Brasil after the 2018 Men’s World Cup to call men’s Spanish La Liga (Division 1) soccer matches, and was retained again by ESPN Brasil after it integrated FOX Sports Brasil into its operation in March 2020, was poached by Brazilian media giant Rede Globo to call play-by-play commentary of Brazilian Division 1 and Copa do Brasil men’s soccer on December 7, 2020.
ESPN Brasil hired Lara as a freelance multi-sport play-by-play commentator on March 5, 2021. She has already called play-by-play commentary of 8 European soccer matches, including the Crystal Palace vs West Bromwich Albion English Premier League match on March 13, for the linear all-sports pay TV networks operated by ESPN Brasil.
On International Women’s Day, Monday March 8, 2021, Lara read the press release issued by the NBA and the Toronto Raptors announcing an all-female NBA television broadcast on Canadian all-sports pay TV network TSN4 to take place on March 24.
March 24th, 2021, we watch history. #InternationalWomensDay | #WeTheNorth pic.twitter.com/fhJyT3dqQx
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 8, 2021
Lara then submitted a proposal to DAZN Brasil, which holds the video rights to the Brazilian men’s professional basketball league Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB), for an all-female NBB broadcast. DAZN Brasil accepted her proposal immediately and Lara executed the all-female NBB broadcast with 3 other female sportscasters on March 12, 2021.
The Brasília vs Bauru Brazilian men’s professional basketball league (NBB) game at Ginásio do Morumbi in São Paulo, as broadcast on pay subscription Internet streaming video service DAZN Brasil on March 12, 2021. Play-by-play commentator: Natália Lara (BRA). Game analyst: Helen Luz (BRA). Sideline reporters: Giovanna Terezzino (BRA) and Stephanie Alves (BRA). Courtesy NBB/DAZN Brasil.
The NBA Latin America office in New York, led by Senior Vice President Arnon de Mello, found out about the all-female NBB broadcast and moved quickly to hire Lara as a freelance play-by-play commentator for its NBA League Pass Brasil pay subscription video service.
Lara was assigned to call Brazilian Portuguese-language play-by-play commentary of the New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trailblazers NBA game on March 16, 2021 off monitor from São Paulo, Brazil with New York-based game analyst Fabio Malavassi.
NBA League Pass Brasil São Paulo-based play-by-play commentator Natália Lara (BRA, top left) and New York-based game analyst Fabio Malavassi (BRA, bottom left) prior to their off-monitor broadcast of the New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trailblazers game on March 16, 2021. Courtesy NBA Entertainment.
The NBA has released video clips of two of Lara’s play-by-play commentary calls from that game on social media:
“…Zion! (Williamson)… Uma cravada sensacional!” (Translation: A sensational dunk!)
“…From downtown, três puntos! Damian Lillard!”
Lara’s 2nd NBA game broadcast as play-by-play commentator was an all-female broadcast on Brazilian all-sports pay TV network ESPN (Brazil) on March 24, 2021 with the pre-game show at 8pm São Paulo Time (7pm New York Time) and tipoff 40 minutes later. She and game analyst Alana Ambrosio broadcast the Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks NBA game off monitors from their respective homes in São Paulo because ESPN Brasil had to close its main studio due to a recent surge of COVID-19 infections in Brazil.
“I am sure we (Alana Ambrosio and I) will begin writing a new chapter for the sport and the league. This is something I have been preparing for a long time, and that I felt extremely honored and confident when I received the invitation (for the play-by-play commentary assignment)… NBA fans can expect a broadcast with lots of dedication, study and care. We will be pioneers, and we will open a door for women in sports with great joy.” – ESPN Brasil play-by-play commentator Natália Lara in a press release issued by ESPN Brasil on March 23, 2021 at approximately 6pm São Paulo Time.
The NBA has cleared this video highlights clip from the ESPN (Brazil) all-female broadcast of the Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks regular season game to be shared on YouTube (for non-revenue editorial use ONLY) with no geographic restrictions:
Highlights from the ESPN (Brazil) Brazilian Portuguese-language all female television broadcast of the Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks NBA regular season game played at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on March 24, 2021. Play-by-play commentator Natália Lara (BRA, left) and game analyst Alana Ambrosio (BRA, right) broadcast the game off video monitors from their respective homes in São Paulo, Brazil due to the recent surge of COVID-19 infections in Brazil which forced ESPN Brasil to close its main production studio in São Paulo. Courtesy ESPN Brasil/NBA Entertainment.
Update: Natália Lara called 4 additional NBA games for ESPN (Brazil) with Alana Ambrosio as her game analyst partner, including the Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies game on April 14, 2021 in which Mavericks’ superstar guard Luka Dončić (SLO) hit the winning 3-pointer just before time expired:
INACREDITÁVEL! 😱 @luka7doncic fez um milagre no ÚLTIMO SEGUNDO! @TISSOT#TissotBuzzerBeater #ThisIsYourTime #MFFL pic.twitter.com/GWH0FoD2Hf
— NBA Brasil (@NBABrasil) April 15, 2021
On May 4, 2021, Brazilian media giant Rede Globo announced that it has secured the exclusive services of Natália Lara by offering her a full time multi-sport play-by-play commentary position on Globo’s linear all-sports pay TV channels SporTV, SporTV Dois, SporTV Três and Premiere.
Um misto sentimentos de felicidade, de ansiedade, de frio na barriga.
— Natália Lara (@natalialaragc) May 4, 2021
Mas o que eu quero dizer é que:
TO NA GLOBO! https://t.co/z4Jfhnba8O
Among Lara’s TV play-by-play commentary assignments at Globo include Brazilian Men’s Division 1 futebol (such as Ceara vs Grêmio on May 30, 2021),
Chegou o dia da estreia!
— Natália Lara (@natalialaragc) May 30, 2021
Às 16h vou narrar @CearaSC x @Gremio!
Ao vivo pra todo o Brasil no @CanalPremiere!
Estarei nessa com @PVC e Paulo Nunes nos comentários
Paulo César de Oliveira na Central do Apito
E @lucascatrib direto do Castelão nas reportagens
Quem vai assistir? ♥️ pic.twitter.com/7TKx0tc0PE
Primeiro gol narrado por @natalialaragc no Grupo Globo pic.twitter.com/ry1Kpf7orv
— Neto Souza (@ZouzaNeto) May 30, 2021
…Olympic indoor volleyball, and Brazilian Women’s National Team basketball games including the Tokyo Olympics with Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductee Hortência (pronounced “or-TEN-see-ah”) as Lara’s game analyst partner.
Não é todo dia que se divide transmissão com duas GIGANTES do basquete brasileiro e mundial.@Hortencia e Janeth, que incrível foi estar com vocês nessa, e poder presencia-las contando vivências, histórias, e fazendo análises de jogo! Uma troca muito linda!
— Natália Lara (@natalialaragc) August 4, 2021
Zerei? Zerei. pic.twitter.com/ts0vCzpeCz
Furthermore, one would expect Lara to be assigned by Globo to call play-by-play commentary of NBA games as Globo has the Brazilian TV rights to package of selected NBA games for broadcast on SporTV (such as Chicago Bulls at Boston Celtics on November 1, 2021.)
Hoje é um dia especial!
— Natália Lara (@natalialaragc) November 1, 2021
Estou de volta na NBA!!!
E tem muita tradição em quadra.
Narro @chicagobulls x @celtics
Comentários de @04Marcelinho
20:30 a bola laranja sobe no SporTV!#NBAnoSporTV pic.twitter.com/GVDrRRXiqF
📅01/11 ⏰20:30
— Quem Narra? (@Quemnarra) November 1, 2021
🟢Boston Celtics X Chicago Bulls🔴
📺SporTV 2
🎙️Natália Lara @natalialaragc
🗒️Marcelinho @04Marcelinho
🏟️TD Garden
🏀NBA pic.twitter.com/ThA5Xoef6J
GRANDE jogo de @Al_Horford até aqui! #NBAnoSporTV pic.twitter.com/tXpUGwHUZD
— NBA Brasil (@NBABrasil) November 2, 2021
Lara became the 2nd Brazilian female play-by-play commentator whom Rede Globo Director of Live Sports Events Joana Thimoteo was able to poach away from ESPN Brasil within 6 months. Lara was reunited with Narra Quem Sabe alumna Renata Silveira, who jumped over to Globo from ESPN Brasil in December 2020.
In response to losing Lara only 2 months after she was hired as a freelancer, ESPN Brasil announced on August 30, 2021 that it will hold a second edition of the Narra Quem Sabe reality show contest to find a female multi-sport play-by-play commentator to replace Lara. ESPN Brasil has re-hired 49-year-old sports journalist Vanessa Riche as the host/presenter of the show, which began airing on Monday evenings effective October 25, 2021.
Uma nova narradora 🎙
— Camu do O Camundongo 🐭 (@OCamundongo) August 26, 2021
A @ESPNBrasil está lançando a segunda temporada do Narra Quem Sabe ESPN, apresentado por Vanessa Riche.
Com inscrições abertas a partir de 30/08, a campanha revelará o novo talento da narração feminina.
O projeto tem um perfil no TikTok: narraquemsabeespn pic.twitter.com/7SmhkmAdWn
Eitaaaa!!! Que vem novidade por aí!
— Elaine Trevisan (@elainetrevisan_) August 26, 2021
Se liguem, narradoras!
As inscrições abrem no dia 30 de agosto através do site https://t.co/KsdWOICrtT e fiquem de olho na rede vizinha (TikTok) para conteúdos exclusivos do programa. #narraquemsabeespn pic.twitter.com/E32mEKCIqd
Chegou o grande momento, hoje estreia o Narra Quem Sabe ESPN às 19h45 na ESPN, venha conhecer quem vão ser as próximas vozes femininas do esporte. #NarraQuemSabeESPN. pic.twitter.com/oG2tFRanRs
— ESPN Brasil (de 🏠) (@ESPNBrasil) October 25, 2021
During ESPN Brasil’s annual awards show Bola de Prata on December 10, 2021, ESPN Brasil management decided to hire 2 contestants from Narra Quem Sabe ESPN instead of 1. Both Eduarda Gonçalves and Isabelly Melo are currently undergoing training and are expected to make their debuts as ESPN Brasil multi-sport play-by-play commentators during Women’s Month in March 2022.
23-year-old ESPN Brasil SportsCenter anchor Mariana Spinelli (BRA, right) announced the winners of the Narra Quem Sabe ESPN reality show, Eduarda Gonçalves (BRA, left) and Isabelly Melo (BRA, center) during ESPN Brasil’s annual awards show Bola de Prata in São Paulo, Brazil on December 10, 2021. Courtesy ESPN Brasil.
ESPN Brasil’s original female freelance futebol play-by-play commentator Luciana Mariano, who was first hired in March 2018, remains at ESPN Brasil where she continues to call men’s and women’s club matches from major European competitions. ESPN Brasil has also hired Elaine Trevisan as its second female freelance futebol play-by-play commentator.
Meghan McPeak (Canada)
NBA Toronto Raptors television game analyst Kia Nurse (CAN, left) and play-by-play commentator Meghan McPeak (CAN, right) during the pre-game show of the Denver Nuggets at Toronto Raptors NBA regular season game broadcast on Canadian all-sports pay TV network TSN4 on March 24, 2021. McPeak and Nurse called the game off monitor from a studio at ScotiaBank Arena in Toronto, as the Raptors were forced to play “home” games during the 2020-2021 NBA season at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, USA due to COVID-19 travel restrictions limiting travel between Canada and the US. Courtesy Toronto Raptors/TSN/Bell Media/NBA Entertainment.
Canadian play-by-play commentator Meghan McPeak had worked for Mississauga, Ontario-based NBA G-League (formerly known as NBA Development League) team Raptors 905 during the 2015-2016 through the 2017-2018 seasons when she was hired by the Washington Wizards organization, headed by owner Ted Leonsis, to be the play-by-play commentator of regional Internet streaming video broadcasts for NBA G-League team Capital City Go-Go beginning with the 2018-2019 season.
Leonsis assigned McPeak and her Capital City Go-Go game analyst partner Tony Massenburg to the Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons NBA pre-season game at The Palace in Auburn Hills, Michigan on October 10, 2018 as an one-time publicity event to introduce McPeak and Massenburg to Washington, DC area pro basketball consumers.
Capital City Go-Go (NBA G-League) play-by-play commentator Meghan McPeak (CAN, left) and game analyst Tony Massenburg (USA) during the opening tease of the Washington Wizards at Detroit Pistons NBA pre-season game broadcast on pay subscription Internet streaming video service Monumental Sports Network with simulcast on regional sports network NBC Sports Washington on October 10, 2018. The Washington Wizards organization assigned McPeak and Massenburg to this pre-season NBA game as an one-time publicity event to introduce their G-League broadcast team. Courtesy Washington Wizards/Monumental Sports Network/NBC Sports Group/NBA Entertainment.
Canadian sports media executive Nathalie Cook, currently the Vice President of Content and Operations for Bell Media-owned all-sports pay television networks The Sports Network (TSN) and Le Réseau des Sports (RDS), assembled an all-female on-air broadcast team for the regional television broadcast of Denver Nuggets at Toronto Raptors NBA regular-season game on all-sports pay TV network TSN4 serving viewers in Ontario Province of Canada (except the Ottawa region) on March 24, 2021, with the pre-game show at 7pm Eastern Time and tipoff 30 minutes later.
McPeak became the 5th woman overall to call play-by-play commentary of an NBA regular season regional television broadcast, and the first Canadian woman to do so.
McPeak’s analyst partner on the TSN4 all-female NBA regional TV broadcast was Canadian Women’s National Basketball team member and WNBA Phoenix Mercury point guard Kia Nurse. Reporter Kayla Grey, studio host Kate Beirness and studio analyst Amy Audibert completed the 5-women on-air broadcast team.
NBA Toronto Raptors regional television reporter Kayla Grey (CAN, left), studio host Kate Beirness (CAN, center) and studio analyst Amy Audibert (CAN, right) during the pre-game show of the Denver Nuggets at Toronto Raptors NBA regular season game broadcast on Canadian all-sports pay TV network TSN4 on March 24, 2021 from Bell Media’s main television studio at 9 Channel Nine Court in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Courtesy Toronto Raptors/TSN/Bell Media/NBA Entertainment.
Because the Toronto Raptors are playing “home” games at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, USA due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the entire TSN4 broadcast team worked from two studios in the Toronto area. McPeak and Nurse were working from a studio in ScotiaBank Arena in Toronto, while Beirness, Audibert and Grey worked from Bell Media’s main television studio at 9 Channel Nine Court in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted congratulatory messages, in both English and French, to the entire TSN4 broadcast team prior to the historic broadcast:
An impressive crew – congratulations, @AmyAudibert, @KateBeirness, @Kayla_Grey, @KayNurse11, and @MeghanMcPeak. You’re making history, and that’s going to mean a lot to so many young girls across the country. (Also, go @Raptors! #WeTheNorth) https://t.co/dlGQtpjaBP
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 24, 2021
Quelle équipe impressionnante! Félicitations, @AmyAudibert, @KateBeirness, @Kayla_Grey, @KayNurse11 et @MeghanMcPeak. Vous écrivez l’histoire, et vous êtes une inspiration pour de nombreuses filles à l’échelle du pays. (Aussi, allez les @Raptors! #WeTheNorth) https://t.co/dlGQtpjaBP
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) March 24, 2021
The NBA has released an extended highlights video clip of the TSN4 broadcast on YouTube with no geographic restrictions:
Extended highlights from the all-female broadcast of the Denver Nuggets at Toronto Raptors NBA regular season game played at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, USA, as broadcast on Canadian all-sports pay TV network TSN4 in most of Ontario Province in Canada. Play-by-play commentator Meghan McPeak (CAN) and game analyst Kia Nurse (CAN) broadcast the game off monitor from a studio at ScotiaBank Arena in Toronto, while studio host Kate Beirness (CAN), studio analyst Amy Audibert (CAN) and reporter Kayla Grey (CAN) broadcast from Bell Media’s main television studio at 9 Channel Nine Court in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Courtesy Toronto Raptors/TSN/Bell Media/NBA Entertainment.
Kyle Lowry shouts out the women who pulled off a historic broadcast tonight. 👏 pic.twitter.com/uH0XZeO7tn
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) March 25, 2021
Ahead of a historic night, hear from the women who will be taking over and bringing you all the action tomorrow night at 7:30pm. #IWD2021
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) March 23, 2021
📺 The Hangout » https://t.co/PRBc0ljY9M pic.twitter.com/HuurS7DCgc
.@MeghanMcPeak joins @JayOnrait to discuss making history as the play-by-play voice of the NBA’s first all-female broadcast crew. pic.twitter.com/yQ4LlqkOvk
— JayOnSC (@JayOnSC) March 24, 2021
Krista Blunk (USA)
NBA Sacramento Kings regional television game analyst Kayte Christensen-Hunter (USA, left) and play-by-play commentator Krista Blunk (USA, right) during the pre-game show of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Sacramento Kings NBA regular season game broadcast at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, USA on regional sports network NBC Sports California on March 27, 2021 as part of the first all-female NBA television broadcast for which all on-air talent were on site. Courtesy Sacramento Kings/NBC Sports Group/NBA Entertainment.
On March 27, the @SacramentoKings and NBC Sports California will have an exclusively women and non-binary coverage team.
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 24, 2021
Read more: https://t.co/RkkzuHp3sf pic.twitter.com/eUxsCfyJqV
On March 27, we’re breaking barriers
— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) March 24, 2021
Catch the @SacramentoKings game this Saturday to watch our exclusively women and non-binary coverage team in action pic.twitter.com/8vLLgSseaM
Updated after original publication: on March 24 at 12noon Eastern (New York) Time/9am Pacific Time, NBA franchise Sacramento Kings and its regional television partner NBC Sports California announced an all-female telecast of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Sacramento Kings game scheduled for Saturday March 27, 2021. Pre-game show began at 6:30pm Pacific Time with tipoff 30 minutes later.
Multi-sport play-by-play commentator Krista Blunk, who recently relocated from the San Francisco Bay Area to Salt Lake City, Utah, returned to Northern California for one night only to call play-by-play commentary ON SITE at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California.
Blunk has been a play-by-play commentator for women’s college basketball, soccer, softball and volleyball on San Francisco-based all-sports pay TV network PAC-12 Network since the network launched in August 2012. Blunk was the regional television game analyst for WNBA team Sacramento Monarchs before the Monarchs folded in 2009.
I’m thrilled and honored to be the PxP this Saturday for @SacramentoKings vs. @cavs as part of @NBCKings exclusively women and non-binary coverage team on NBC Sports CA! Proud to work with these commentators! @kayte_c @Laura_Britt_ @Layshiac @momoragan Let’s Go! #SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/4QxVVc61fh
— Krista Blunk (@kristablunk) March 24, 2021
Blunk’s analyst partner on the NBC Sports California all-female NBA regional TV broadcast was Katye Christensen-Hunter who moved from her usual sideline reporting role.
This Saturday, I have the pleasure of stepping in as the color analyst for @SacramentoKings vs. @cavs as part of @NBCKings‘ exclusively women and non-binary coverage team. See it all on NBC Sports CA! @kristablunk @Layshiac @Laura_Britt_ @momoragan LET’S DO THIS! #SacramentoProud pic.twitter.com/wBB2OZVPKw
— Kayte Christensen-Hunter (@kayte_c) March 24, 2021
Studio host Laura Britt and studio analyst Layshia Clarendon (who currently plays for WNBA team New York Liberty) completed the 4-women on-air broadcast team.
In addition, Morgan Ragan operated the @NBCSKings Twitter account during the broadcast.
NBA Sacramento Kings regional television studio host Laura Britt (USA, left), studio analyst Layshia Clarendon (USA, center) and @NBCSKings Twitter account operator Morgan Ragan (USA, right) during the pre-game show of the Cleveland Cavaliers at Sacramento Kings NBA regular season game broadcast at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, USA on regional sports network NBC Sports California on March 27, 2021 as part of the first all-female NBA television broadcast for which all on-air talent were on site. Courtesy Sacramento Kings/NBC Sports Group/NBA Entertainment.
Even though most of the game was disjointed and “ugly” without much “flow” or “rhythm” according to Christensen-Hunter, the Sacramento King regional television broadcast team got lucky at the end of the game, when Kings forward Harrison Barnes hit a 3-point shot just before the buzzer to win 100-98.
Krista Blunk: Long pass, Barnes, gets a good look, and MONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEY!
Kayte Christensen-Hunter: Oooooooooooooooooooh!
NBA Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes (USA) hit a 3-point shot as time expired to win the NBA regular season game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California, USA on March 27, 2021. The game was broadcast on regional sports network NBC Sports California by the first all-female broadcast team for which all on-air talent were on site. Play-by-play commentator: Krista Blunk (USA). Game analyst: Katye Christensen-Hunter (USA). Courtesy Sacramento Kings/NBC Sports Group/NBA Entertainment.
Update: on September 9, 2021, Sacramento Kings President Vivek Ranadive promoted Kayte Christensen-Hunter from sideline reporter/fill-in TV game analyst to full time TV game analyst after former regional television game analyst Doug Christie decided to join the Kings’ coaching staff.
Kings Name @kayte_c as TV Game Analyst » https://t.co/wF1vyc2Dd6
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) September 9, 2021
👑 | @NBCSKings pic.twitter.com/UlDFgah3T8
Kate Scott (USA)
San Francisco Bay Area-based multi-sport play-by-play commentator Kate Scott (USA, left) and game analyst Mary Murphy (USA) during the opening tease of the United States Women’s National Team at Stanford University Cardinal exhibition basketball game broadcast at Roscoe Maples Pavilion in Stanford, California, USA on all-sports pay-TV network PAC-12 Network on November 2, 2019. Both Scott and Murphy have been assigned to the Chicago Bulls at Golden State Warriors NBA game broadcast on San Francisco, California terrestrial free-to-air broadcast radio station KGMZ-FM “95.7 The Game” on March 29, 2021. Courtesy PAC-12 Conference.
Versatile 38-year-old San Francisco Bay Area-based sportscaster Kate Scott has made sports media broadcast history multiple times during her successful career, as she has experience calling play-by-play commentary of 2 National Football League (NFL) pre-season games on terrestrial free-to-air radio in August 2016:
In this short documentary video released by San Francisco-based all sports terrestrial free-to-air radio station KNBR-AM 680 “The Sports Leader”, play-by-play commentator Kate Scott (USA) shared her thoughts on being assigned to 2 NFL pre-season games involving the San Francisco 49ers in August 2016. Courtesy KNBR-AM/Cumulus Media.
… and a National Hockey League (NHL) television game broadcast on International Women’s Day, Sunday March 8, 2020, as part of an all-female broadcast team for NBC Sports:
“On Her Turf” social media documentary video of the all-female NBC Sports NHL broadcast of the St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks NHL game on March 8, 2020. Courtesy NHL/NBC Sports Group.
Highlights of the Chicago Blackhawks vs St. Louis Blues National Hockey League (NHL) game on Sunday March 8, 2020 as broadcast on U.S. all sports pay TV network NBCSN and simulcast in the UK and Ireland on all-sports pay TV network Premier Sports 1. Play-by-play commentator: Kate Scott (USA). Booth-level game analyst/co-commentator: AJ Mleczko (USA). Ice-level game analyst/rinkside reporter: Kendall Coyne Schofield (USA). Courtesy NHL/NBC Sports Group.
On March 29, 2021, Scott will become the 7th woman to call play-by-play commentary of an NBA regular season game for a regional broadcast, and the first woman to do so on free-to-air terrestrial broadcast radio, when she will team up with her usual women’s college basketball broadcast analyst partner Mary Murphy and sideline reporter Kerith Burke to call the Chicago Bulls at Golden State Warriors NBA game from Chase Center in San Francisco, California for all-sports terrestrial free-to-air broadcast radio station KGMZ-FM “95.7 The Game”.
.@katetscott will be calling Warriors vs. Bulls on March 29 👏 pic.twitter.com/h0RY7MXE21
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) March 11, 2021
.@katetscott: This. Is. What. We. Do.
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) March 24, 2021
Can’t wait for the call on Monday night. 7pm. @957TheGame. pic.twitter.com/rusANGhvc2
“Working together has been such an amazing experience. It’s just been one of those events in life where I’m going to be thinking about this for a long time.”
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 31, 2021
On Monday night, history was made with the Warriors’ first-ever all-women broadcast.
Women’s Empowerment Month || @Chase pic.twitter.com/YzW9yhepiP
Kate Scott’s play-by-play commentary call (with Mary Murphy as her analyst partner) of a dunk by Stanford University women’s basketball forward Fran Belibi during the Stanford at California PAC-12 Conference women’s basketball game broadcast on all-sports pay TV network PAC-12 Network (US and International) on December 13, 2020 went viral:
“…Fran Belibi, you better believe it baby!”
Update: on September 23, 2021, NBA franchise Philadelphia 76ers named Kate Scott as its new regional TV play-by-play commentator for games airing on regional sports network NBC Sports Philadelphia.
I’m here because of all the women who’ve come before me, who had it much harder than me, who proved we deserve a shot.
— Kate Scott (@katetscott) September 23, 2021
I look forward to earning the respect and trust of a phenomenal city and fanbase one call and game at a time.
Hey Philly, LFG!!!#HereTheyCome https://t.co/B1eta8qBho
The new voice of NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Sixers broadcast booth has arrived! Sixers fans, give a warm welcome to Kate Scott, our new play-by-play broadcaster 👋 https://t.co/qA9kQUxtyS
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) September 23, 2021
A snippet of my interview with @katetscott – discussing her dream becoming a reality here with @NBCSPhilly & @sixers. And…yup… imma call her #GreatScott. pic.twitter.com/7cAB9vuCGf
— Amy Fadool Kane (@amyfadoolNBCS) September 24, 2021
Torch handoff complete. With @katetscott you’re in great hands @sixers fans! @NBCSPhilly @alaatweets pic.twitter.com/X1tOZwDtY9
— Marc Zumoff (@marczumoff) September 29, 2021
Play-by-play commentator Kate Scott (left) and game analyst Alaa Abdelnaby during the opening tease of the Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers National Basketball Association (NBA) pre-season game at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on regional sports pay-TV network NBC Sports Philadelphia on October 7, 2021. Courtesy Philadelphia 76ers/NBA Entertainment/NBC Sports Group.
Highlights from the Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers National Basketball Association (NBA) pre-season game at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA on regional sports pay-TV network NBC Sports Philadelphia and simulcast on all-sports pay TV network NBA TV on October 7, 2021. Play-by-play commentator: Kate Scott (USA). Game analyst: Alaa Abdelnaby (USA). Courtesy Philadelphia 76ers/NBA Entertainment/NBC Sports Group.
New #Sixers announcer @katetscott had to beat out 80 other candidates to become the new TV voice of the team.
— Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) October 20, 2021
“You could just tell from the audition tape,” @alaatweets said. “That’s why she’s here — she was the best. She’s here because she earned it.”https://t.co/tmEjsioFOV
On December 13, 2021, NBA franchise Philadelphia 76ers released this short documentary video of regional television play-by-play commentator Kate Scott. Courtesy Philadelphia 76ers/NBA Entertainment.
Beth Mowins (USA)
Play-by-play commentator Beth Mowins (left) and game analyst Richard Jefferson during the opening tease of the Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks National Basketball Association (NBA) pre-season game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on all-sports pay-TV network ESPN (US) on October 10, 2021. Courtesy NBA Entertainment/ESPN, Inc.
On October 8, 2021, US all-sports pay TV network ESPN announced that legendary 54-year-old play-by-play commentator Beth Mowins had been assigned to call the Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks NBA preseason game ON SITE at Fiserv Center in Milwaukee on October 11, 2021 at 7:30pm Eastern Time (6:30pm Central Time). Mowins would broadcast with game with game analyst Richard Jefferson and the game broadcast would be available outside the 75-mile radius of Milwaukee. Mowins became the 9th woman to call play-by-play commentary of an NBA game on television.
A new adventure! Thrilled to be a part of @ESPNNBA jumping right in Sunday Night with the defending champs! @Bucks @okcthunder #NBA75 https://t.co/YaET4NZuFs
— Beth Mowins (@bethmowins) October 7, 2021
Highlights from the Oklahoma City Thunder at Milwaukee Bucks NBA preseason season game at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA on October 10, 2021 as broadcast on national all-sports pay TV network ESPN (US). Play-by-play commentator: Beth Mowins (USA). Game analyst: Richard Jefferson (USA). Courtesy NBA Entertainment/ESPN, Inc.
The “Beth Mowins Effect” has come full circle, as the assignment of Mowins by ESPN to call the Los Angeles Chargers at Denver Broncos National Football League (NFL) Monday Night Football game on Monday, September 11, 2017 opened the door for Big Ten Network and Pac-12 Networks to assign Lisa Byington and Kate Scott to call play-by-play commentary of American college football on television.
The hiring of Lisa Byington by the Milwaukee Bucks and Kate Scott by the Philadelphia 76ers for regional television play-by-play commentator positions would open the door for Mowins to call television play-by-play commentary of an NBA game, in an adjacent courtside broadcast position next to Byington for the same preseason NBA game, but for 2 different pay TV networks.
Pretty awesome to share the play-by-play seat with @bethmowins tonight at @FiservForum …
— Lisa Byington (@LisaByington) October 10, 2021
Join us 7:30e/6:30c @Bucks vs @okcthunder @BallySportWI @espn pic.twitter.com/FiSYjdVubR
ESPN, Inc. has since assigned Mowins to call play-by-play commentary of multiple NBA regular season games, including Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz on Christmas Day, December 25, 2021
Highlights from the Dallas Mavericks at Utah Jazz NBA regular-season season game at Fiserv Forum in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA on December 25, 2021 as broadcast on national all-sports pay TV network ESPN (US) and simulcast in the United Kingdom and Ireland on all-sports pay TV network Sky Sports Mix. Play-by-play commentator: Beth Mowins (USA). Game analyst: Richard Jefferson (USA). Courtesy NBA Entertainment/ESPN, Inc.
One would now expect ESPN (US) to assign Beth Mowins and game analyst Doris Burke to the same NBA regular season game in 2022.
February 3, 2022 update: ESPN (US) announced via a press release that it will assign play-by-play commentator Beth Mowins, game analyst Doris Burke and courtside reporter Lisa Salters to broadcast the Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz NBA regular season game on Wednesday February 9, 2022 at 10pm Eastern/7pm Pacific (8pm Mountain Time in Salt Lake City) (Graphic below courtesy ESPN, Inc.)
ESPN Coordinating Producer Sara Gaiero will lead a team of 33 women who will produce the game broadcast, both on site at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah and at ESPN Plaza in Bristol, Connecticut.
“To work alongside these women and see the depth of talent we have in a variety of roles on this NBA property is incredibly rewarding. Each of these women make regular, valuable contributions to our NBA productions. I am so excited to watch them do what they do best – document an NBA game at the highest level.” – ESPN (US) Coordinating Producer Sara Gaiero
Related: That’s A W! Go Behind The Scenes As ESPN Produces First NBA Game Telecast On A National Scale Led By All-Women Team (Photos courtesy ESPN, Inc.)
The English-language game broadcast audio will be available on ESPN-branded linear TV networks throughout the Americas and Oceania including ESPN (US), TSN3 (Canada), ESPN (Australia), ESPN (New Zealand), ESPN (Caribbean), ESPN (Mexico, SAP), ESPN (Central America/Dominican Republic, SAP), ESPN Dois (Brazil, SAP), ESPN Dos (Argentina and Chile, SAP) and ESPN Cuatro (Colombia/Ecuador/Venezuela and Peru/Bolivia/Paraguay/Uruguay, SAP).
Malaysian all-sports linear satellite pay TV network Astro SuperSport 4 will relay the international video broadcast distributed by NBA Entertainment from its integration studio at The Plaza in Secaucus, New Jersey, containing the ESPN (US) game broadcast with Utah Jazz in-arena video during breaks and intermissions (instead of ESPN US studio show segments), both live at 11am Kuala Lumpur Time and an encore re-broadcast during prime time at 7pm Kuala Lumpur Time.
First 9 minutes of the NBA International broadcast, consisting of Utah Jazz in-arena video and the ESPN (US) produced opening tease, from the Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz NBA regular-season season game at Fiserv Forum in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA on February 9, 2022 as broadcast live in Malaysia on all-sports pay TV network Astro SuperSport 4 on February 10, 2022 at 11am Kuala Lumpur Time. Play-by-play commentator: Beth Mowins (USA). Game analyst: Doris Burke (USA). Courtside Reporter: Lisa Salters (USA). Courtesy NBA Entertainment/Utah Jazz/ESPN, Inc./Astro.
Highlights from the Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz NBA regular-season season game at Fiserv Forum in Salt Lake City, Utah, USA on February 9, 2022 as broadcast on national all-sports pay TV network ESPN (US) and simulcast on ESPN-branded linear TV networks in the Americas and Oceania. Play-by-play commentator: Beth Mowins (USA). Game analyst: Doris Burke (USA). Courtside Reporter: Lisa Salters (USA). Courtesy NBA Entertainment/ESPN, Inc.
NBA Global League Pass will also relay this broadcast straight through to subscribers in countries and territories where the rights to this game have NOT been sold to a local or pan-regional broadcaster.
Lauren Jbara (USA)
Shorthanded in Philly? No problem.
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) December 24, 2021
(I’m talking about the broadcast team now.)@laurenjbara | @BrianOliver1313 pic.twitter.com/h5fmab3OT3
From left to right: studio host Treavor Scales, play-by-play commentator Lauren Jbara and game analyst Brian Oliver during the Hawks Live post-game show of the Atlanta Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season game at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA as broadcast on regional sports pay-TV network Bally Sports Southeast on December 23, 2021. Courtesy NBA Entertainment/Atlanta Hawks/Sinclair Broadcast Group.
On December 23, 2021, Atlanta Hawks regional television courtside reporter Lauren Jbara became the 10th woman to call play-by-play commentary of an NBA game on television when she filled in for Hawks regional television play-by-play commentator Bob Rathbun, who missed his assignment after testing positive for COVID-19.
Both Rathbun and Atlanta Hawks regional television game analyst Dominique Wilkins a.k.a. “The Human Highlight Film” were pulled from the regional television broadcast on regional sports network Bally Sports Southeast 45 minutes before tipoff of the Hawks at Philadelphia 76ers regular season NBA game at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Pre-game and post-game courtside TV analyst (pundit) Brian Oliver filled in for Wilkins.
We have @laurenjbara and @BrianOliver1313 on the call tonight in Philly. pic.twitter.com/4CgpVJHBlL
— Bally Sports: Hawks (@HawksOnBally) December 24, 2021
OO has 10 PTS (5/6 FG) at the half!
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) December 24, 2021
Presented by @Verizon pic.twitter.com/oilOzNrQVt
Jennifer Hale (USA)
From left to right: play-by-play commentator Jennifer Hale, game analysts David Wesley and Antonio Daniels during the opening tease of the Cleveland Cavaliers at New Orleans Pelicans National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season game at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA as broadcast on regional sports pay-TV network Bally Sports New Orleans on December 28, 2021. Courtesy NBA Entertainment/New Orleans Pelicans/Sinclair Broadcast Group.
Let’s do this! Excited to make my play by play debut tonight for @PelicansNBA vs the @cavs alongside a few besties: @SrDavidWesley4 & @adaniels33 ! This is going to be fun!! @BallySportsNO pic.twitter.com/whmhNtYbR8
— Jennifer Hale (@JenHale504) December 29, 2021
On December 28, 2021, New Orleans Pelicans regional television courtside reporter Jennifer Hale became the 11th woman to call play-by-play commentary of an NBA game on television when she filled in for Pelicans regional television play-by-play commentator Joel Meyers to call the Cleveland Cavaliers at New Orleans Pelicans NBA regular season game for broadcast on regional sports network Bally Sports New Orleans.
Meyers missed his second consecutive assignment after testing positive for COVID-19 sometime between December 24 and 26. Dallas Mavericks regional television play-by-play commentator Mark Followill filled in for Meyers on December 26, when the Pelicans played on the road against the Oklahoma City Thunder before Followill returned to his regular assignment with the Mavericks at Portland Trailblazers on December 27.
Highlights from the Cleveland Cavaliers at New Orleans Pelicans NBA regular season game at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA on December 28, 2021 as broadcast on regional sports TV network Bally Sports New Orleans. Play-by-play commentator: Jennifer Hale (USA). Game analysts: Antonio Daniels (USA) and David Wesley (USA). Courtesy NBA Entertainment/New Orleans Pelicans/Sinclair Broadcast Group.
