For years, Los Angeles served as a key production hub for ESPN. However, over the last decade, the network has sold its local radio station, shut down Bill Simmons-led Grantland, and discontinued the old ESPNLA website. Recently, ESPN has reportedly planned to relocate its final remaining SportsCenter broadcasts away from its L.A. studio. Former ESPN columnist Arash Markazi reports that NBA programming could be moving out of the City of Angels soon, which would signify a definitive end to ESPN’s L.A. chapter.
Markazi noted that with ESPN set to license Inside the NBA from TNT Sports starting this fall, the L.A.-based productions of NBA Countdown and NBA Today may shut down. He stated,
“ESPN is still the ‘Worldwide Leader’ but they have seemingly punted on having a homebase in Los Angeles and they might not be done yet when it comes to relocating. A source inside ESPN told me their commitment to having NBA shows emanate from L.A. Live extends only through this postseason but no decision has been made yet about next season when ‘Inside the NBA’ will begin airing on ESPN and ABC.”
On Wednesday, ESPN informed Sports Business Journal that “The Los Angeles Production Center will continue to host ESPN’s NBA studio productions and provide office space to additional L.A.-based employees,” although it’s unclear if this arrangement is permanent. Even though ESPN has recently extended contracts for key studio talents like Chiney Ogwumike and Kendrick Perkins, the future of its NBA studio coverage remains uncertain. Markazi added that the indecision regarding the network’s top NBA talent is partly due to whether these shows will continue to be filmed in L.A., stating:
“Multiple prominent ESPN personalities that cover the NBA also have contracts coming up before next season, and part of those contract negotiations will revolve around ESPN not having a Los Angeles-based NBA show. Nothing has been decided yet, but there is a chance ESPN completely leaves its LA Live studios and offices at the end of the year.”
While Markazi did not specify which talents are affected, previous reports by Ryan Glasspiegel from Front Office Sports suggested that NBA Today and NBA Countdown host Malika Andrews is up for a new deal this fall, as is NBA insider Brian Windhorst, who regularly features alongside Andrews. With Andrews based in L.A., her future largely depends on ESPN’s decisions. Additionally, there’s the looming threat from NBC and Amazon Prime Video as both networks continue to recruit NBA talent for their upcoming broadcast rights deals, starting this fall. Analysts and reporters like Andrews and Windhorst hold significant leverage, as they can threaten to leave, but this might not sway ESPN’s plans if the network aims to eliminate its presence in L.A.
