ESPN’s Doris Burke hasn’t been the most popular reporter among fans in the NBA playoffs this year and many may get their wish of this being the last time she covers the NBA Finals. 

NBA Finals announcers: Doris Burke makes history on ESPN

But one NBA Finals coach isn’t looking forward to the notion of Burke being ousted after this season. Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle recently responded to reports that Burke could be nearing the end of her time with ESPN’s main NBA broadcast team amid a talent shakeup.

Carlisle spoke at length about Burke and how she’s “changed the game for women in broadcasting.” He cited his own 21-year-old daughter as one such person who Burke has inspired. Carlisle considers Burke a friend who has what it takes to be a coach as well.

“Certainly, media people have experienced scrutiny,” Carlisle said. “Broadcasting, it’s a dynamic business and you’re subjected to things from unnamed sources. It’s just part of it. So, I saw the things that were leaked [Wednesday] about Doris Burke, and I just want to say a couple things.

“She has changed the game for women in broadcasting.

“Doris is a great example of courage and putting herself out there. It was just so sad to see these reports leaked, really, unnecessarily, before such a celebrated event.

“Doris is a friend. I’ve asked her many times, ‘Why don’t you get into coaching?’ because she has such great knowledge. There are many women who she’s paved the way for.”

Burke’s career with ESPN dates back to the early-1990s and has been a trailblazer in women’s sports broadcasting. She became the first woman to serve as a television analyst for a major American men’s championship in 2023, and the first woman to be a TV analyst for the NBA Conference Finals and the NBA Finals.

But just because she’s accomplished a lot, it doesn’t mean that she’s immune to criticism. In fact, she’s faced persistent criticism on her coverage of the finals for weeks.

ESPN's Doris Burke during a TV spot.

TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 05: ESPN television analyst Doris Burke does a TV spot as she sets up the Toronto Raptors NBA game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Scotiabank Arena on December 5, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

If Burke really is in her final days with ESPN’s NBA coverage or ESPN in general, it doesn’t seem likely that she’ll be out of a job for long.