People & Personalities: Doris Burke Fighting On-Air Perceptions
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Burke Says She's Been Treated
Professionally By Colleagues |
ESPN's Doris Burke is the "only female analyst working NBA games for a national network," and she said she is "nervous at times because there is a percentage of the population that finds it strange and objects to hearing a [woman's] voice during a basketball broadcast." Burke, who called ABC's telecast of Game Three of the Nuggets-Mavericks Western Conference Semifinals on Saturday night, said, "What I do is try to get people as close to the action as possible and explain what I see happening out there." Burke added that NBA coaches and players have "never questioned her credentials and that her play-by-play partners have always treated her professionally." ESPN VP/NBA Production Bob Rauscher said Burke has the "unique ability to break down the game, provide inside analysis and explain it to viewers in an engaging fashion, which enhances our telecasts" (Barry Horn, DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 5/9).
MORE NBA HIGHLIGHTS: SI.com's Ian Thomsen wrote TNT's Doug Collins and ESPN's Jeff Van Gundy are "among the best" NBA analysts from an information standpoint and entertainment standpoint. Thomsen: "And in their business you can't be entertaining without excellent information." Meanwhile, the announcer who is "most entertaining without trying to entertain" is ESPN's Hubie Brown, "because of his information, perspective and entirely unique personality" (SI.com, 5/8).
IMPRESSIVE DEBUTS: In Calgary, Steve MacFarlane notes Flames C Craig Conroy "has been a guest on the TSN panel" during the net's coverage of the NHL playoffs. There is little doubt networks "will be lining up to grab the 60-words-a-minute speaker when his playing days are over." Unlike ESPN's Matthew Barnaby, who "sometimes seems to feel the need to be controversial, Conroy can offer insight with a splash of humour" (CALGARY SUN, 5/11)....In N.Y., Bob Raissman wrote MLB Network hiring analyst Billy Ripken for "bargain dollars, was a coup, especially for those who appreciate a broadcaster who 1) doesn't take himself seriously, 2) talks the game without talking down and 3) actually has a personality" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/10).
MOVING ON: Broncos radio analyst David Diaz-Infante has been let go. Clear Channel Colorado President & Market Manager Lee Larsen said that a "full-time radio talent, to be announced soon, will be Dave Logan's partner" on Broncos broadcasts (DENVER POST, 5/11)....NYRA paddock analyst and TV host Jan Rushton has resigned from her position (NYRA).
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