Amazon Prime Video poach top ESPN broadcaster as No1 NBA sideline reporter ahead of new live TV coverage deal
An ESPN broadcaster has been hired by Amazon Prime Video to oversee its NBA programming in the autumn.
The streaming service’s new live TV coverage agreement with the NBA will include the sideline reporter.
Andrew Marchand of The Athletic announced on Monday that Cassidy Hubbarth will serve as the primary sideline reporter for Prime Video.
She will be a part of the streamer’s A-broadcast team alongside main commentator Ian Eagle.
Additionally, Marchand disclosed that Amazon is considering hiring ESPN’s Richard Jefferson and TNT’s Stan Van Gundy to call games with Eagle.
Every other year, Eagle, Hubbarth, and the future basketball analyst will call the conference final series and the NBA Cup in-season tournament knockout rounds.
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Amazon signed a new 11-year, almost $20 billion broadcast rights deal last year that included these duties.
According to The Athletic, Kevin Harlan is anticipated to be considered for the position as second play-by-play commentator.
NBA greats Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki will be part of the streamer’s studio program, which will be run by Taylor Rooks.
Hubbard, 40, has a wealth of experience as an ESPN basketball reporter.
She served as a lead anchor for previous ESPN programs like NBA Tonight and NBA Coast to Coast and as a stand-in host on NBACountdown.
Hubbarth’s work as a sideline reporter for different game broadcasts has earned her recognition.
She did, however, find herself below the network’s top broadcast teams.
Among other shows, Hubbarth has contributed to First Take and SportsCenter.
Under the terms of the new contract, she is the first sideline reporter employed by the two new NBA broadcasters, NBC and Amazon.
As the primary NBA broadcaster, Mike Tirico’s responsibilities have been expanded by NBC.
Tirico is now the Sunday Night Football play-by-play commentator for the network.
NBC is anticipated to follow suit with Ian’s kid, Noah Eagle.
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The Athletic said on Wednesday that Reggie Miller of TNT, who alternates with Jamal Crawford, another TNT colleague, is anticipated to be the primary NBA analyst.
For the first time in over three decades, the NBA will be broadcast on NBC.