FS Southeast's Stephanie Ready prior to the '15-16 season became the first full-time female NBA game analyst, but prior to this season, the RSN moved her to a courtside reporter/analyst hybrid role for Hornets games. Ready recently discussed the move in a Q&A with Jordan Greer of SPORTING NEWS. Excerpts are below, some of which have been edited for brevity and clarity.
Q: When did you first find out that your role was changing from last season?
Ready: This summer. Fox Sports called and said that they evaluated the broadcast, and they wanted to make some changes, and that was going to be the change. My role would change.
Q: What was your initial reaction upon hearing that?
Ready: I was shocked. I was shocked because I had heard nothing but good things.
Q: What would you like to be doing right now in terms of this Hornets broadcast?
Ready: I loved my old role. I loved being an analyst because that's why I got in the business in the first place: to be an analyst. ... That was always my objective professionally. ... So, yes, I miss it. For sure. It's different. But I've been with this team since Day 1. I am invested. I'm loyal. I've been here when they were an expansion team, when they had the other name. I've seen the organization grow and prosper in this region. I've seen the fan base grow. The fans at home watched me go through two pregnancies. They're like part of my family. I'm here.
Q: What would you like to do beyond this Hornets broadcast in the future?
Ready: Long term, I don't really know exactly how to answer that question because, especially in broadcasting, there's so many twists and turns and so many different ways you could go. I would say 1A and 1B would be hosting a big show and being an analyst (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 10/31).
