The following is a list of the television and radio networks and announcers that have broadcast NBA Finals games in the United States and Canada over the years.
In addition to the English-language broadcasts, the NBA Finals also have Spanish-language broadcasts since 2002.NBA Finals 2002 to be broadcast on TV, radio, Internet - NBA, 29 May 2002Telemundo to Air NBA en Español - R. Thomas Umstead, Multichannel, 25 August 2002
Television English language 2020s YearNetworkPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Sideline reporter(s)Rules expert(s)Studio hostStudio analyst(s)Trophy presentation 2026ABC/ESPN DTC/Disney+ Mike Breen Richard Jefferson and Tim Legler Lisa Salters Steve Javie Ernie Johnson Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal, and Draymond Green (Games 3–4) Ernie JohnsonESPN (alternate; Game 3) colspan="4" align="center" Pat McAfeeKendrick Perkins, Quentin Richardson, "Boston" Connor Campbell, Tone Digs, and Ty Schmit 2025ABC Mike Breen Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson Lisa Salters (Games 1, 5–7)Jorge Sedano (Games 2–4) Steve Javie Malika Andrews Stephen A. Smith, Bob Myers, Kendrick Perkins, and Shams Charania Lisa SaltersESPN+/Disney+ 2024ABCMike BreenDoris Burke and JJ RedickLisa SaltersSteve JavieMalika AndrewsMichael Wilbon, Stephen A. Smith (all games), Bob Myers (Games 1–3, 5), Josh Hart (Games 1–2), Paul George (Games 3–4), Kendrick Perkins (Game 4), Julius Randle (Game 5), and Adrian WojnarowskiLisa SaltersESPN (alternate; Game 3) colspan="4" align="center" Kevin HartThe Plastic Cup Boyz and various guests 2023ABCMike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyLisa SaltersSteve JavieMike GreenbergJalen Rose, Michael Wilbon, Stephen A. Smith, and Adrian WojnarowskiLisa SaltersESPN2 (alternate; Game 1) colspan="4" align="center" Stephen A. SmithVarious guests2022ABCMark Jones (Game 1–2)Mike Breen (Games 3–6)Mark JacksonJeff Van Gundy (Games 2–6)Lisa SaltersSteve JavieMike GreenbergJalen Rose, Michael Wilbon (all games), Stephen A. Smith (Games 1–3, 5–6), Adrian Wojnarowski (Games 3–6), Magic Johnson (Game 1 only), and Kendrick Perkins (Game 4)Lisa SaltersESPN2 (alternate; Game 1) colspan="4" align="center" Michael EavesCJ McCollum, Tim Legler and several guests2021ABCMike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyMalika AndrewsSteve JavieMaria TaylorJalen Rose, Jay Williams (Games 1–4), and Adrian WojnarowskiMalika Andrews2020ABCMike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyRachel NicholsSteve JavieMaria TaylorJalen Rose, Jay Williams, Paul Pierce, and Adrian WojnarowskiRachel Nichols
Notes 2020: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NBA postponed its regular season from March 11 to July 29, resuming with the seeding games for the 22 contending teams. Consequently, the 2020 Finals were played inside a bubble at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Bay Lake, Florida from September 30 to October 11, the latest date to end an NBA season. The Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Miami Heat was the lowest-rated NBA Finals ever (4.0 rating over six games). 2021: Rachel Nichols was originally assigned to work as a sideline reporter, but was replaced by Malika Andrews after a private video leaked of Nichols uttering insensitive racial comments towards African American ESPN personality Maria Taylor. Both Nichols and Taylor eventually left ESPN, with Taylor heading to NBC Sports after a contract dispute, and Nichols agreeing to a buyout after she was taken off of ESPN programming and had her show, The Jump, canceled due to this incident. 2022: ESPN2 televised NBA Finals: Celebrating 75, a special alternate presentation for Game 1 which aired Thursday at 9 PM ET from Seaport District studios in New York. Several guests included Magic Johnson and Julius Erving. Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy missed Game 1 due to COVID-19 protocols, and Mark Jones filled in for Breen. Jones, Mark Jackson and Lisa Salters made history in Game 1 as the first all-African American broadcast team to cover an NBA Finals game. Breen also missed Game 2, whereas Van Gundy returned. 2023: NBA in Stephen A's World, an alternate broadcast of ESPN's NBA games with Stephen A. Smith as host along with various guests, aired on ESPN2 during Game 1 of the Finals. 2024: Doris Burke became the first woman to call an NBA Finals game on American network television, after previously working four NBA Finals on ESPN Radio. 2025: Jorge Sedano filled in for Lisa Salters as sideline reporter in Games 2, 3 and 4 due to Salters attending to a family matter. 2026: As part of a sublicensing agreement, TNT Sports will produce ABC's pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage featuring the Inside the NBA team, working the Finals for the first time.
2010s YearNetworkPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Sideline reporter(s)Rules expert(s)Studio hostStudio analyst(s)Trophy presentation2019ABC (US)Mike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyDoris BurkeSteve JavieMichelle BeadleJalen Rose, Chauncey Billups, and Paul PierceDoris BurkeCitytv (Canada; games 1, 3 and 5)CTV2 (Canada; games 2 and 4)CTV (Canada; game 6)Sportsnet (Canada; games 1, 3 and 5)Matt DevlinLeo RautinsEric Smithrowspan="2" Brad FayAlvin Williams and Sherman HamiltonTSN (Canada; games 2, 4 and 6)Jack ArmstrongKate BeirnessRod BlackJames Duthie (2nd panel)Leo Rautins and Sam MitchellChris Bosh (2nd panel)2018ABCMike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyDoris BurkeSteve JavieMichelle BeadleJalen Rose, Chauncey Billups, and Paul PierceDoris Burke2017ABCMike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyDoris BurkeSteve JavieMichelle BeadleJalen Rose, Chauncey Billups, and Paul PierceDoris Burke2016ABCMike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyDoris Burke and Craig Sager (Game 6)Steve JavieSage SteeleJalen Rose, Doug Collins, and Paul PierceDoris Burke2015ABCMike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyDoris BurkeSteve JavieSage SteeleJalen Rose, Doug Collins, and Dwyane Wade (Games 2, 3, 6)Doris Burke2014ABCMike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyDoris BurkeSteve JavieSage SteeleJalen Rose, Doug Collins, and Bill SimmonsStuart Scott2013ABCMike BreenJeff Van GundyDoris BurkeSteve JavieMichael WilbonMagic Johnson, Jalen Rose, and Bill SimmonsDoris Burke2012ABCMike BreenJeff Van GundyDoris Burkerowspan="4" Michael WilbonJon Barry, Magic Johnson, and Chris BroussardStuart Scott2011ABCMike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyDoris BurkeStuart ScottJon Barry, Michael Wilbon, and Magic JohnsonStuart ScottESPN 3DMark JonesBruce Bowen (Games 1–2, 5–6)Tim Legler (Games 3–4)2010ABCMike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyDoris BurkeStuart ScottJon Barry, Michael Wilbon, and Magic JohnsonStuart Scott
Notes Per the current broadcast agreements, the Finals will be broadcast by ABC through 2036. For the 2019 Finals (the first to feature the Toronto Raptors), TSN and Sportsnet, the main Canadian rightsholders of both the NBA and the Raptors, were permitted to broadcast distinct Canadian telecasts, in addition to the ABC telecast being simulcast on their co-owned broadcast networks. Telecasts on both TSN and Sportsnet use a common technical crew employed by Raptors team owner Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.
2000s YearNetworkPlay-by-playColor commentator(s)Sideline reporter(s)Studio hostStudio analyst(s)Trophy presentation2009ABC Mike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyDoris BurkeStuart ScottJon Barry, Michael Wilbon, and Magic JohnsonStuart Scott2008ABC Mike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyMichele TafoyaStuart ScottJon Barry, Michael Wilbon, and Guest AnalystsStuart Scott2007ABC Mike BreenMark Jackson and Jeff Van GundyMichele Tafoya and Stuart ScottDan PatrickJon Barry, Michael Wilbon, and Grant HillDan Patrick2006ABC Mike BreenHubie BrownLisa Salters and Stuart ScottDan PatrickMark Jackson and Michael WilbonDan Patrick2005ABC Al MichaelsHubie BrownMichele Tafoya and Stuart ScottMike TiricoBill Walton and Greg AnthonyMike Tirico2004ABC Al MichaelsDoc RiversMichele Tafoya and Stuart ScottMike TiricoTom Tolbert and Byron ScottMike Tirico2003ABCBrad NesslerBill Walton and Tom TolbertMichele Tafoya and Stuart ScottMike TiricoSean Elliott and Guest AnalystsMike Tirico2002NBCMarv AlbertBill Walton and Steve JonesJim Gray and Lewis JohnsonBob CostasTom TolbertAhmad Rashad2001NBC Marv AlbertDoug CollinsJim Gray and Lewis JohnsonAhmad RashadKevin Johnson, P. J. Carlesimo, Bill Walton, and Steve JonesAhmad Rashad2000NBC Bob CostasDoug CollinsAhmad Rashad and Jim GrayHannah StormIsiah Thomas, Bill Walton, and Steve JonesAhmad Rashad
Notes Although the 2007 NBA Finals aired on ABC (as had been the case since 2003), they were the first to carry the "ESPN on ABC" branding instead of the ABC Sports branding. 2007: The Finals between the San Antonio Spurs and the Cleveland Cavaliers was the lowest rated NBA Finals until 2020 (6.2 percent rating over four games). Since 2007, NBA ratings have steadily risen, thanks to the resurgence of nationally recognized NBA teams, their star power, and their annual presence in the NBA Finals. Game 7 of the 2010 NBA Finals had the best rating for a basketball game in the contemporary NBA on ABC era, and the 2011 Finals held steady in the ratings department as well. Both series drew over a 10 rating, beating the World Series in consecutive years for the first time ever. 2006: Lisa Salters was the main sideline reporter alongside Stuart Scott with Michele Tafoya on maternity leave. She was the main ABC sideline reporter for that season before sliding back to secondary reporter with Tafoya's return. 2003: The series between the San Antonio Spurs and the New Jersey Nets was the lowest rated NBA Final (6.5 percent over six games) until 2007. This was also the only year that ABC broadcast both the NBA and the Stanley Cup Finals that involved teams from one city in the same year, as both the New Jersey Nets and the New Jersey Devils were in their respective league's finals. During ABC's broadcast of Game 3 between the San Antonio Spurs and the Nets in New Jersey on June 8, Brad Nessler said that ABC was in a unique situation getting ready for both that game and Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Devils and the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim the following night, also at Continental Airlines Arena. Gary Thorne mentioned this the following night and thanked Nessler for promoting ABC's broadcast of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals. During the 2002 NBA Finals, Ahmad Rashad had told The Los Angeles Times before the 2002 NBA Finals began that he would be ending his 20-year run on NBC Sports with Game 3 of the NBA Finals on the pregame show. A feature in which he interviewed Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant would be his last assignment for the network. He and Hannah Storm were replaced by Bob Costas as host of the pregame show for the Finals, and Rashad declined to join Hannah Storm on the post-game show carried by CNBC. 2001: NBC studio host Hannah Storm did not anchor the NBA Finals due to her being on maternity leave, so Ahmad Rashad replaced her. She returned to cover the NBA Finals in 2002, but as postgame host.
1990s