Amazon Prime Video is poaching ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth to be its No. 1 sideline reporter when it begins NBA coverage next season, sources briefed on the agreement told The Athletic.
Hubbarth moves to the top position with Prime Video where she will join play-by-play caller Ian Eagle on its lead crew. Amazon has not yet hired top game analysts, but has TNT’s Stan Van Gundy and ESPN’s Richard Jefferson, among its top choices. It also has had talks with Dwyane Wade about a hybrid role that would comprise studio and games.
Amazon declined to comment on Hubbarth.
Amazon will begin its 11-year, nearly $20 billion contract to stream NBA games beginning later this calendar year. Besides Eagle and Hubbarth, The Athletic previously reported Kevin Harlan is also expected in the fold as the No. 2 play-by-player. The streamer will have a studio show that is led by Taylor Rooks and includes Dirk Nowitzki and Blake Griffin.
Hubbarth, 40, has been at ESPN for 15 years, where she has climbed the ranks of its NBA coverage, but failed to be selected for its lead team, nor given regular hosting duties on one of its prime shows. Still, she established herself as a fixture in its NBA coverage and is known for being an excellent teammate.
Next season, upon the start of the new television deals, ESPN will have fewer regular-season games. ABC/ESPN will continue to be the home of the NBA Finals, while it will have the conference finals for 10 of its 11 seasons under contract. Amazon will air six conference finals, and fellow newcomer NBC/Peacock will also have conference finals. All three platforms will air early-round playoff games each season.
TNT Sports will conclude its game coverage at the end of this season.
(Photo: Arturo Holmes / Getty Images)
Good morning, I’m Dan Gartland. I wasn’t thinking about how long the game was taking when I watched the Warriors knock off the Thunder.In today’s SI:AM:ðŸ
Almost anyone would benefit from the stage the NBA All-Star Game provides, particularly if it meant the opportunity to compete against Stephen Curry. But Caitli
The Bounce Newsletter  | This is The Athletic’s daily NBA newsletter. Sign up here to receive The Bounce directly in your inbox.We’ve poked a lot of fun