ESPN is moving NBA analyst Doug Collins from the studio to game sites, a decision prompted by the network’s commitment to broadcast more games under the league’s new TV arrangement, The Big Lead reported (via Awful Announcing).
ESPN will air 100 NBA games in the 2016-17 season, up from 90 last season.
Collins, who has been on ESPN’s NBA Countdown show since 2013, will return to the game analyst role he filled on TNT’s NBA coverage before joining the World Wide Leader. He also called some games for ESPN last year, but worked primarily in the studio.
While these plans have not been finalized, here’s what to expect for the upcoming season, according to the report:
MORE: Chris Broussard's ESPN contract expiring
— ESPN’s lead NBA broadcast team — Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson — will remain intact.
— With Mike Tirico now at NBC, analyst Hubie Brown will be paired by play-by-play man Mark Jones. Brown signed a new multi-year deal with the network.
— Collins will work 25-30 games, some of which with Dave Pasch and some with Ryan Ruocco. Collins may also fill in for Van Gundy and Jackson on their nights off. Collins and Breen called basketball games together on NBC's Olympic coverage in 2000, 2004 and 2008. Collins worked with Marv Albert during the recently completed Rio Olympics.
— Doris Burke will call some games as a color commentator, in addition to keeping her sideline reporting duties, and Jon Barry will also remain on the roster.
— While Collins’ move out of the studio leaves an open spot on NBC Countdown, Chauncey Billups is a potential replacement, according to The Big Lead.