Allie LaForce is finalizing a full-time deal with Turner Sports, where she's expected to cover NBA Games and the NCAA "March Madness" basketball tournament, sources tell Sporting News.
The talks between the 29-year-old LaForce and Turner are ongoing but no contract has been finalized, sources said. The talented, up-and-coming LaForce has worked with both Turner and CBS Sports, which confirmed Monday that she was leaving the network. Turner declined to comment and LaForce could not be reached.
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LaForce could become the lead sideline reporter for "NBA on TNT" in addition to her college basketball duties, one source said. With Turner Sports eyeing a possible return to NFL game coverage, LaFroce could also eventually serve as an NFL sideline reporter.
LaForce was in the news recently for asking LeBron James on the air about the death of Spurs coach Gregg Popovich's wife Erin after a playoff game. But the former beauty queen and college baskeball player didn't ambush King James.
She asked James beforehand whether he wanted to comment and he said he did. James defended LaForce afterward.
“Get off Allie LaForce’s back, because she followed the proper protocol and she warned me,” James said. “Get off her back, man. She’s very professional and does a great job.”
Beside her work with Turner, LaForce has served as a college football sideline reporter for CBS' SEC Game of the Week coverage. But CBS told Richard Deitsch of The Athletic on Monday that it couldn't work out a new deal for LaForce.
"We could not reach an agreement on a new deal and have parted ways. We thank Allie for all her contributions over the past five and half years and wish her the best."
On Monday, CBS announced it was promoting Jamie Erdahl to succeed LaForce.
.@KingJames sends his thoughts and prayers to the family of Gregg Popovich, sets record straight on reporter’s question. pic.twitter.com/VCsFuEtFVU
— UNINTERRUPTED (@uninterrupted) April 19, 2018
“We are excited to add Jamie to our SEC ON CBS coverage,” Harold Bryant, executive producer and senior vice president of production for CBS Sports, said in a statement.
“Since joining CBS, Jamie has established herself as a talented, versatile and knowledgeable reporter. She is a rising star and someone we know that will connect with and earn the respect from the coaches, players and passionate fans in the SEC.”
Friends forever ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ARxkZfVMU4
— Allie LaForce (@ALaForce) May 22, 2018
CBS' SEC on CBS game coverage has ranked as the highest-rated college football game package for nine years in a row. But the network's broadcast team has been changing.
Last season, Brad Nessler succeeded retiring legend Verne Lundquist as play-by-play announcer in the broadcast booth along with analyst Gary Danielson. Now Erdahl will replace LaForce this season.
