Few voices capture wonderment on the hardwood quite like Doris Burke.
The ESPN veteran is the cream of the crop when it comes to broadcasting, having displayed her vocal chops to both the college and professional game during an impressive 34-year career.
Burke added another glittering accomplishment to her closet filled with them during the 2024 NBA Finals, becoming the first woman to serve as a television game analyst for a championship final in one of the four major professional U.S. sports leagues.
Burke is no stranger to making history. Still, this mark holds special significance to Burke, not just for her own career aspirations, but also for that of the women who came before her, from Robin Roberts to Ann Meyers Drysdale.
“I’ll be honest with you, it’s meaningful,” Burke told The Rich Eisen Show earlier in the month. “There’s no doubt that that sentiment hasn’t dawned on me. Obviously, what could be better for me if in some way this assignment helps women in some way? There could be nothing more meaningful.”
Here’s what you need to know about Burke, one of ESPN’s most venerated figures and a history-maker in the world of sports broadcasting.
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Who is Doris Burke?
Burke is one of ESPN’s most senior broadcasters, making her debut with the network back in 1991.
She’s held a variety of positions during her time at the Worldwide Leader in Sports, spearheading their WNBA and men’s college basketball coverage during the early years of her career. A Manasquan, New Jersey native, Burke also became the first woman to commentate for a Knicks game on television and radio.
Over the past two decades or so, Burke has been renowned for her NBA coverage. She’s one of ESPN’s most visible presences during NBA games, routinely appearing both on the sideline and, more recently, in the booth. From 2009 to 2019, Burke was the network’s No. 1 sideline reporting option during the NBA Finals. She renewed her role in the position on the NBA 2K video games, as well.
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As time has gone on, Burke’s stature in the industry has only grown. Following the 2017 departure of Doug Collins, Burke became the first woman assigned to a regular-season role covering NBA basketball as a game analyst. She added another piece of gold to her collection three years later, calling the 2020 NBA Finals on ESPN Radio. In the process, Burke made more history for herself; she’s the first woman to ever accomplish the feat.
2023 was a year of major upheaval for Burke’s employers. ESPN reshuffled its NBA coverage, laying off broadcast fixtures Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. In stepped Burke, who earned a spot on the booth next to Mike Breen and Doc Rivers (and after Rivers’ hire by the Bucks, JJ Redick). She’s impressed in the position ever since.
Doris Burke age
Burke is 58, The Boston Globe reported earlier this month.
Doris Burke college
Burke is a graduate of Providence College, having turned out for the Friars women’s basketball team during her time at the school.
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Doris Burke basketball stats
Burke was a gifted basketball player during her time in Rhode Island, twice capturing All-Big East honors during her four-year career. A diminutive presence on the floor, Burke was a table-setter, whipping passes all about the terrain in an effort to get her teammates involved. In her junior and senior seasons, her attempts paid off; she led Providence to an NCAA tournament and NIT appearances. Her senior campaign, which saw Burke become the program’s all-time leading passer, garnered her additional praise; Burke was also named to KODAK’s District I All-America Team.
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Here’s a closer look at her stats and accomplishments during her playing days:
- 12.1 points per game
- 5.3 assists per game
- 1,372 total points
- 602 total assists
- 87 consecutive starts from 1984-87
- 1984 Big East All-Rookie Team
- Two-time All-Big East
- 1986-87 Big East assists leader
- 1987 Providence College Co-Female Athlete of the Year
- 1987 KODAK District I All-American
- 1987 Women’s NIT All-Tournament Team
Doris Burke broadcasting career
Burke began her broadcast career in the early 1990s, first offering analysis of her alma mater’s games on radio. She soon transitioned into a television role before adding Big East men’s games to her orbit in 1996.
Since 2003, Burke has covered NBA action, first slotting in as a sideline reporter before eventually earning a spot in the booth. She’s also covered WNBA games and featured on longtime ESPN program NBA Countdown at different points in her career.
Most recently, Burke has served as one of the lead analysts for ESPN’s top broadcast team. She often shares the screen with fellow analyst JJ Redick and play-by-play man Mike Breen.
Doris Burke husband
Burke married Gregg Burke, the head coach of the University of Rhode Island’s golf team. However, in 2012, the couple divorced. Despite the split, Burke has retained her ex-husband’s last name. They have two children together.