Amid much speculation about potential announcers for the NBA’s new media partners at NBC and Amazon, one decision was certain. NBC officially announced on Wednesday that Mike Tirico will be their lead play-by-play announcer for the NBA’s return next season. Joining NBC in 2016, Tirico quickly became a central figure in the network’s sports coverage, succeeding Al Michaels and Bob Costas. He took over primetime hosting duties for the Olympics from Bob Costas at the 2018 Winter Olympics, and he later succeeded Michaels for Sunday Night Football in 2022 as Michaels transitioned to Amazon for Thursday Night Football.
During his tenure, Tirico’s versatility has been evident, as he has covered virtually every major sports event NBC televised in the past decade—from horse racing to golf to hockey. His previous experience includes several years of calling NBA games at ESPN, allowing him to seamlessly add the NBA to his impressive roster.
The only void in Tirico’s NBC résumé is a lack of English Premier League commentary, but who knows what the future may hold? He would likely sound as if he’s done it for years if given the opportunity.
Can’t wait to have Mike Tirico (@miketirico) courtside with the NBA returning to NBC and Peacock! pic.twitter.com/NQog5Qv3zr
— NBA on NBC and Peacock (@NBAonNBC) January 22, 2025
In an official announcement, NBC revealed that Tirico will handle “one or more games per week” after the NFL season and the 2026 Winter Olympics conclude. He will also call select games during the NFL season, beginning with NBC’s opener in October.
Mike Tirico, who called NBA games for 15 seasons for ESPN from 2002-2016, is returning to the NBA as NBC Sports’ lead play-by-play voice when its coverage begins with the 2025-26 season this October across NBC and Peacock.
Tirico is the voice of many of NBC Sports’ biggest events, including Olympic primetime hosting and play-by-play for Sunday Night Football, which has been primetime television’s top show for a record 14 consecutive years. Since joining NBC in 2016, he has also hosted or called the Kentucky Derby, Indianapolis 500, Stanley Cup Playoffs, U.S. Olympic Team Trials, golf’s U.S. Open, Open Championship, and more.
“I could not be more thrilled about returning courtside to call NBA games,” said Tirico. “My 15 years of chronicling the best basketball players in the world still stands as one of the highlights of my career. Like so many others, my love of the league took hold during the unforgettable days of the NBA on NBC back in the ’90s. The chance to be a part of the team bringing that iconic partnership back to life has us incredibly excited,” he added.
He is expected to work one or more games per week once NBC Sports’ coverage of the NFL and Milan Cortina Olympic Winter Games concludes in February 2026, with select games earlier, including the NBA season opener in October 2025.
“We are excited that Big Event Mike Tirico will be returning to his courtside seat as the NBA returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock,” stated Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports. “From the Olympics to Sunday Night Football to major golf championships and now the NBA, Mike is the most versatile voice in sports.”
At 58, Mike Tirico stands alongside broadcasting legends like Michaels, Jim Nantz, and Joe Buck, seamlessly stepping into the lead role for any sport the network covers. He is anticipated to be the primary NBA voice for the entirety of NBC’s new 11-year agreement.
Looking ahead, attention is now focused on who will join Tirico in the broadcast booth. NBC has already hired rising star Jamal Crawford as a lead analyst. The two might work together or with another personality, possibly Reggie Miller, in a three-man lineup. Noah Eagle and Dwyane Wade are also expected to continue their acclaimed collaboration from the Summer Olympics as NBC’s second team.
If this is indeed the lineup NBC rolls out for the long-awaited return of the NBA, they will start strong. Now, if we could just get Roundball Rock finalized, everything would be just perfect.
