"Doris Burke is a prominent figure in American sports broadcasting, primarily recognized for her work as an NBA and college basketball analyst for ESPN and ABC. Her career milestones include being the first woman to provide commentary for New York Knicks games across radio and television, marking a significant advancement for women in sports journalism."
1986: All-Big East and Big East All-Tournament Teams
Doris Burke achieved recognition for her exceptional basketball skills in 1986 when she was named to both the All-Big East and Big East All-Tournament teams.
1987: All-American and Co-Female Athlete of the Year
In 1987, Doris Burke received further accolades for her basketball prowess. She was named an All-American, a testament to her standing as one of the top college players in the nation. That same year, she was also recognized as the co-Female Athlete of the Year at Providence College, highlighting her athletic achievements.
1990: Broadcasting Career Begins
Doris Burke embarked on her broadcasting career in 1990, taking on the role of an analyst for women's basketball games at her alma mater, Providence College, on the radio. That same year, she expanded her broadcasting presence by joining the television coverage of Big East Women's games.
1991: ESPN Career Begins
Doris Burke's long and illustrious association with ESPN began in 1991, marking the start of her journey as a prominent figure in sports broadcasting.
1996: Big East Men's Games Broadcaster
In 1996, Doris Burke's broadcasting career took a significant step forward when she added Big East men's games to her repertoire, further solidifying her versatility and expertise in basketball commentary.
1999: Providence College Hall of Fame Induction
In 1999, Doris Burke's exceptional contributions to Providence College basketball were formally recognized when she was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame.
1999: Providence College Hall of Fame Induction
In 1999, Doris Burke's outstanding contributions to Providence College basketball were formally recognized when she was inducted into the school's Hall of Fame. Notably, she became the fifth woman to receive this prestigious honor.
2000: First Woman Commentator for New York Knicks
Doris Burke achieved a historic milestone in 2000 when she became the first woman to provide commentary for a New York Knicks game, showcasing her talent and breaking barriers in the world of basketball broadcasting. This accomplishment extended to both radio and television broadcasts.
2003: USA Today Rudy Award
Doris Burke's talent and impact as a sports broadcaster were recognized in 2003 when she was honored with the prestigious USA Today Rudy Award for the Best New Face in Sports Television. This accolade highlighted her fresh perspective, insightful commentary, and growing presence in the industry.
2003: Men's College Basketball Coverage and NBA Sidelines
In 2003, Doris Burke's role at ESPN expanded significantly. She was brought on to contribute to the network's men's college basketball coverage, where she worked alongside the renowned commentator Dick Vitale. Additionally, Burke began her tenure on the sidelines for ESPN and ABC's coverage of the NBA, commencing with the 2003–04 NBA season. This move marked a significant step in her career, as she became a more prominent voice in men's basketball broadcasting.
2004: Institute for International Sport's Scholar Athlete Hall of Fame Induction
In the spring of 2004, Doris Burke's achievements both on and off the basketball court were celebrated when she was inducted into the Institute for International Sport's Scholar Athlete Hall of Fame. This honor recognized her commitment to academics and her contributions to the world of sports.
2005: Honorary Doctorate Degree from Providence College
In the spring of 2005, Doris Burke's alma mater, Providence College, bestowed upon her an honorary doctorate degree, recognizing her remarkable career achievements, her contributions to the field of sports broadcasting, and her enduring commitment to excellence.
October 2006: New England Basketball Hall of Fame and North Providence Hall of Fame Inductions
In October 2006, Doris Burke received two notable honors in recognition of her contributions to basketball. She was inducted into both the New England Basketball Hall of Fame and the North Providence Hall of Fame, solidifying her legacy in the sport and her impact on the region.
2009: NBA Finals Sideline Reporter
In 2009, Doris Burke's broadcasting career reached new heights when she was chosen to serve as a sideline reporter for the NBA Finals on ABC. This prominent role placed her at the heart of the most important games of the NBA season, further solidifying her status as a respected voice in basketball broadcasting.
2010: NBA 2K11 Video Game Debut
In a testament to her growing influence in basketball, Doris Burke made her debut in the world of video games in 2010 when she was featured as the sideline reporter in 2K Sports's NBA 2K11. This marked her entry into a new form of media and further expanded her reach among basketball fans.
January 2012: NCAA Silver Anniversary Award
In January 2012, Doris Burke received the prestigious NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, a testament to her outstanding athletic and professional accomplishments. This award celebrated her lasting impact on college athletics and her continued success in the field of sports broadcasting.
2012: Providence College All-Time Leader in Assists
As of 2012, Doris Burke still held the impressive record of being the all-time leader in assists for Providence College, with a remarkable 602 assists throughout her college career. This achievement solidified her legacy as one of the most skilled playmakers in the school's history.
October 2013: Multi-Year Contract Extension with ESPN and NBA Countdown Debut
In October 2013, Doris Burke solidified her commitment to ESPN by signing a multi-year contract extension to continue serving as an NBA commentator for the network. This move reflected her value and contributions to ESPN's basketball coverage. On November 13 of that year, she marked another milestone in her career by making her debut on ESPN's NBA pre-game show, NBA Countdown. She joined analysts Jalen Rose and Avery Johnson on the show, providing her insights and expertise to viewers before the games.
2017: Regular Season and Playoff Game Analyst
Doris Burke's role as an NBA analyst expanded in 2017 when she began providing commentary for select regular-season and playoff games, showcasing her deep understanding of the game and her insightful analysis.
2017: First Woman with Full Regular-Season NBA Analyst Role
In 2017, Doris Burke broke new ground in the world of basketball broadcasting when she became a full-time NBA game analyst for ESPN. This historic appointment made her the first woman at the national level to hold such a position, reflecting a significant shift in the industry and solidifying Burke's status as a trailblazer.
2018: Basketball Hall of Fame Curt Gowdy Media Award
In 2018, Doris Burke was honored for her pioneering work in sports broadcasting and was selected to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Curt Gowdy Media Award.
2018: Basketball Hall of Fame Curt Gowdy Media Award
In 2018, Doris Burke was honored for her pioneering work in sports broadcasting and was selected to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Curt Gowdy Media Award.
March 2019: US Women's National Soccer Team Honor
In a gesture of admiration and respect, Tobin Heath, a member of the United States women's national soccer team, chose to honor Doris Burke during their match in March 2019. Each player on the team wore a jersey with the name of a woman they admired on the back, and Heath selected Burke's name, recognizing her as a pioneering figure in sports broadcasting.
2019: End of NBA Finals Sideline Reporting
In 2019, Doris Burke concluded her tenure as a sideline reporter for the NBA Finals on ABC, marking the end of a successful run in that role.
2019: End of Sideline Reporting for Conference Finals and NBA Finals
In 2019, Doris Burke's role as a sideline reporter for the Conference Finals and NBA Finals came to an end, concluding a successful chapter in her broadcasting career.
2020: First Woman to Call Conference Finals and NBA Finals on Radio
In 2020, Doris Burke continued to make history in basketball broadcasting when she became the first woman to call the Conference Finals and NBA Finals on ESPN Radio. This groundbreaking accomplishment further solidified her legacy as a pioneer in the industry.
2022: First All-Women Broadcasting Team for National NBA Game
In 2022, Doris Burke and play-by-play commentator Beth Mowins etched their names into sports broadcasting history by becoming the first all-female duo to call a nationally televised NBA game. This landmark event underscored the growing presence and recognition of women in the field.
August 2023: First Woman TV Analyst for Major Men's Championship
In August 2023, ESPN/ABC announced a momentous decision, naming Doris Burke as part of their lead broadcasting team for major men's basketball championships in the United States. This historic appointment, alongside former NBA coach Doc Rivers and veteran broadcaster Mike Breen, solidified Burke's place as the first woman to serve as a television analyst for such prestigious events, including the NBA Conference Finals and the NBA Finals. Burke's inclusion on the team, replacing Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson, who were laid off by the network earlier that year, represented a significant stride toward greater gender diversity and representation in sports broadcasting.
October 27, 2023: All-Women Broadcasting and Production Crew
On October 27, 2023, Doris Burke, alongside play-by-play commentator Beth Mowins, participated in a groundbreaking event for ESPN. They worked together to call an NBA game between the Celtics and the Heat, marking a historic occasion as part of ESPN's initiative to assemble an all-women broadcasting and production crew for a national broadcast for the first time.
2023: ESPN's No. 1 NBA Commentary Team
In 2023, Doris Burke reached a groundbreaking milestone when ESPN appointed her to their No. 1 NBA commentary team. This made her the first woman to hold the position of game analyst on television for a championship final in any of the four major professional U.S. men's sports leagues.