NBC tabs Mike Tirico to serve as play-by-play announcer for NBA coverage in 2025-26

Posted by author January 22, 2025 NBA

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NBC has found its face of its NBA coverage.

The network announced Wednesday that Mike Tirico, who also anchors NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” play-by-play duties and its coverage of the Olympics, will serve as lead play-by-play voice for NBA broadcasts.

NBC secured rights for the NBA games previously held by Turner Sports, starting with the 2025-26 season in October.

Tirico had previously covered the NBA as one of ESPN’s play-by-play announcers from 2002-16. In his career, Tirico has served as play-by-play announcer for around 375 regular season and playoff games, according to NBC. Tirico also served during his time at ESPN as a play-by-play announcer for NBA games on ESPN Radio.

He joined NBC in 2016 and has also covered tentpole events like the Kentucky Derby, major golf tournaments like the U.S. Open and the Indianapolis 500.

“I could not be more thrilled about returning courtside to call NBA games,” Tirico said in a news release published Wednesday. “My 15 years of chronicling the best basketball players in the world still stands as one of the highlights of my career. Like so many others, my love of the league took hold during the unforgettable days of the NBA on NBC back in the ’90s. The chance to be a part of the team bringing that iconic partnership back to life has us incredibly excited.”

NBC said that Tirico will work one or more NBA games per week once the NFL season and the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics conclude in February 2026. Still, Tirico may call notable games early in the 2025-26 NBA season, including the tip off game in October 2025.

“From the Olympics to ‘Sunday Night Football’ to major golf championships and now the NBA, Mike is the most versatile voice in sports,” NBC Sports executive producer Sam Flood said in the news release.

Tirico will join former NBA player Jamal Crawford, who will be NBC’s game analyst during broadcasts.