ESPN’s NBA studio is losing one of its key members.
ESPN NBA analyst Bob Myers has left the company to join Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment as president of its sports division, it was announced Friday. Myers had been with ESPN since 2023 as an NBA studio analyst and a core member of the “NBA Countdown” studio show. He worked the past two NBA Finals for “Countdown” and also served as a game analyst.
While the TNT-produced “NBA Tip-Off” and “Inside the NBA” will be the main ESPN/ABC studio shows this season, “NBA Countdown” will continue to air on nights when “Inside” does not take place. Myers was in ESPN’s plans for “Countdown” this season and was even scheduled to appear on both editions of the show this week, leading into preseason games.
With Myers departing and Stephen A. Smith stepping back from the pregame show, the cast of “Countdown” regulars this season includes host Malika Andrews, returning analysts Kendrick Perkins and Chiney Ogwumike, and newcomer Michael Malone. It is not clear yet who else might be in the rotation.
As for the TNT-produced studio shows, “NBA Tip-Off” and “Inside the NBA” will utilize ESPN’s game broadcast talent for on-site hits this season, ESPN producer Tim Corrigan said in a Thursday conference call. “They could be throwing to Katie George or Lisa Salters, or Malika is going to do some games reporting now,” Corrigan said. “When you’re going to the game site to do that, they’re utilizing our talent.”
TNT regularly incorporated its game talent for pregame interviews during its years carrying the NBA, from sideline reporters like Allie LaForce and Jared Greenberg to analysts like Reggie Miller.
While the TNT-produced studio shows will maintain a distinct look and sound from the ESPN-produced game telecasts, there will be necessary integrations throughout the season — specifically when “Tip-Off” and “Inside” go on the road for the NBA conference finals and Finals.
“When we’re on the road, you have to integrate collectively because, when we build out these shows technically for the Conference Finals and finals, it’s a huge undertaking,” Corrigan said. “We will integrate together to figure out because we have to tie trucks together and things like that. … Inevitably you have to work together to figure these things out.”
