TNT’s Craig Sager will join ESPN’s NBA Finals broadcast on Thursday night on ABC. This gives the veteran sideline reporter the opportunity to cover his first NBA Finals in his marvelous career. The vibrant and much revered Sager will split sideline duties with ESPN’s Doris Burke.
Sager issued a statement on the joyous news:
“I’d like to thank Turner and ESPN for approaching me with this tremendous opportunity to be part of The Finals broadcast team. I’ve been watching the series very closely and, while I do not want to distract in any way from the event itself, I look forward to being in the building for what will be an incredibly exciting Game 6. The NBA community is a very special one and this is a great honor.”
ESPN’s executive vice president of production and programming, John Wildhack, had this to say about Sager’s return:
“Craig is an iconic member of the NBA family who indelibly makes his mark on each and every broadcast. I know our entire team is delighted to work with Craig for Game 6. We all agree his professional reputation is second-to-none, though it’s his personal reputation – that of class, selflessness and respect – which makes this even more special for our team. We hope that this will be a special night for Craig and for NBA fans. We are grateful for his interest and for the continued collaboration with our friends at Turner.”
Sager has been battling leukemia since the spring of 2014, even beating the deadly disease into remission. However, in February doctors informed Sager that his cancer was no longer in remission and they only gave him 3-6 months to live.
Sager, who is one of the most beloved figures in the NBA, will be presented with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at The 2016 ESPYS on July 13.
Despite working for Turner Sports since 1982, Sager has never covered an NBA Finals.
I can’t wait to see Sager’s colorful interviews and even more colorful suit on Thursday.
[ESPN]
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