Much like witches in Oz, there are good and bad regional NBA analysts. The Minnesota Timberwolves’ announcing team is a joy to listen to, while the Cleveland Cavaliers’, featuring Austin Carr, can sometimes be a headache. FOX Sports Southeast’s Charlotte Hornets coverage was already excellent, but today, it made history when the station announced Stephanie Ready would become the first full-time female NBA game analyst.
From the Charlotte Hornets’ press release:
“I’ve had a love affair with the game of basketball for as long as I can remember, both as a player and a coach. I’m honored and excited to be able to share my passion for this sport with our audience,” said Ready. “FOX Sports and the Hornets have always taken pride in being innovative and forward-thinking. I’m extremely proud to be a part of history.”
There have been other female NBA analysts for both regional and national stations – the criminally underrated and too-often-banished-to-the-sidelines Doris Burke immediately comes to mind – but Ready is the first to assume a full-time mantle. Ready’s basketball acumen is unimpeachable. She played and coached at the highest levels before becoming a sideline reporter for FOX.
While this is historic, it’s more and more becoming non-news in the NBA. That is in no way a slight, but rather a celebration. In addition to public figures such as Becky Hammon and Nancy Lieberman, multiple NBA teams employ and continue to hire high-ranking female executives. Basketball is arguably the most gender-diverse of the major professional sports. Ready’s promotion is terrific news in and of itself, but the fact that we are (slowly, admittedly) inching toward the point where this is just another day in the NBA is just as great.
(Via Charlotte Hornets)
