Doris Burke has been a big time figure since her days as a college baskeball sideline reporter back in 2003. Since then, the Providence alum has worked her way to the top of the broadcasting industry.
That came to a head on Thursday as Burke served as an in-game analyst for Game 1 of the 2024 NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics.
In turn, Burke made history.
She became the first woman to serve as a game analyst for any major men’s professional championship event.
It’s absolutely insane that no woman had served in this capacity given the growing inclusive nature of the industry. Burke was called on to serve as an analyst with the likes of JJ Redick and Mike Breen.
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Doris Burke’s Ascension To The Mountain Top
As noted above, Burke made her men’s basketball debut with ESPN back in 2003. Prior to that, she was an analyst for Providence women’s college basketball on radio starting in 1990.
Burke has worked with ESPN in a variety of roles since 1991. She has been part of the four-letter network’s WNBA coverage. She began her role as an in-game analyst for NBA games back in 2017. Burke made history on that regard, too. She was the first woman to be an in-game analyst for a men’s basketball game on a national level.
LeBron James took to social media ahead of Game 1 on Thursday to share his thoughts on Burke making history.
This is a sentiment shared by many players around the NBA as Burke is widely respected.
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