ESPN will no longer juggle two studio hosts for its NBA coverage.
ESPN announced Tuesday that Michelle Beadle has been named the new host of NBA Countdown on ABC, replacing Sage Steele. She already hosts the ESPN editions of the show and has previously filled in for Steele on ABC. In her new role, which begins Saturday, she will host the NBA Finals.
Beadle will be the fifth NBA studio host for ABC since it resumed airing games in 2002. In addition to Steele, previous hosts were Mike Tirico, Dan Patrick and the late Stuart Scott.
As for Steele, she will continue in her role hosting on-site editions from SportsCenter during major events, which will presumably also include the NBA Finals.
ESPN had been using three separate studio teams this season: Beadle, Chauncey Billups, Tracy McGrady and Jalen Rose on ESPN weeknights, Steele and Michael Wilbon (and previously, Magic Johnson) on ABC Saturdays, and Steele and Rose on ABC Sundays. It is not clear whether the networks will begin using one consistent set of analysts or continue the current rotation.
(Tue. news from ESPN Media Zone 4.4)
