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NBC Sports
04-08-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
NBC SPORTS ANNOUNCES COURTSIDE REPORTERS AND NBA INSIDER FOR UPCOMING NBA COVERAGE
Zora Stephenson, Jordan Cornette, and Ashley ShahAhmadi to Serve as Reporters; Grant Liffmann Joins as NBA Insider Focused on Front Office 2025-26 NBA Season Begins Oct. 21 on NBC and Peacock STAMFORD, Conn. – Aug. 4, 2025 – NBC Sports announced today that Jordan Cornette, Ashley ShahAhmadi, and Zora Stephenson are joining its NBA coverage as courtside reporters and Grant Liffmann as an NBA Insider focusing on front office news. Stephenson, who joined NBC Sports in 2021, currently serves as a sideline reporter for Notre Dame and Big Ten Football and a play-by-play voice for Peacock's exclusive slate of Big Ten Women's Basketball. She worked as a basketball and gymnastics reporter for the 2024 Paris Olympics and as a social media host during the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. From 2019-2023, she served as a sideline and digital reporter for the Milwaukee Bucks on Bally Sports/Fox Wisconsin, and in April 2021 became the first woman to handle play-by-play for a Bucks game. Additionally, Stephenson was a four-year member of the basketball team at Elon University and a team captain. Cornette currently serves as a college basketball analyst for NBC Sports, regularly appearing on Big Ten College Countdown. A four-year member of the Notre Dame basketball team from 2001-2005 and the program's all-time leader in blocks (201), Cornette was a two-time team captain and helped lead the Fighting Irish to three NCAA Tournament appearances. Before NBC Sports, Cornette spent time at ESPN, appearing on programs such as Get Up, First Take, NFL Live, The Huddle, and more. In addition to his college basketball duties at NBC Sports, Cornette has also appeared as a studio host and field reporter on GOLF Channel. ShahAhmadi previously served as the Charlotte Hornets' sideline reporter for Bally Sports South for multiple seasons. Her prior basketball experience also includes being an ESPN Radio NBA postseason reporter and, while previously at TNT Sports, an NBA host and reporter. Aside from basketball, ShahAhmadi has served as one of ESPN's college football sideline reporters since August 2023, primarily working with SEC Network. Grant Liffmann served as an executive in the Atlanta Hawks' front office for three seasons. Liffmann held the role of VP of Basketball Operations, as well as most recently the VP of Pro Personnel, overseeing the pro scouting department. Prior to his time in the Hawks' front office, he spent nearly six years at NBC Sports Bay Area primarily covering the Golden State Warriors, where he hosted the Warriors Outsiders show. Liffmann will serve as NBC Sports' NBA Insider focusing on front office news and will also occasionally serve as a game reporter. 'Our reporting roster is loaded with former captains and leaders who are lifelong hoopers and who understand the game from the inside out,' said NBC Sports Executive Producer Sam Flood. 'Zora, Jordan, and Ashley are uniquely positioned to tell the inside story unfolding on the court. With Grant, we've got a voice fresh out of the front office. He can break down not just what's happening, but why it's happening when the news drops.' The NBA returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock on Tuesday, Oct. 21, when the 2025-26 season tips off. Throughout the course of the season, NBC Sports will present up to 100 regular season NBA games -- including five games a week for portions of the season -- plus the playoffs and All-Star Weekend. NBC and Peacock will present coverage on Tuesday nights beginning in October. After Sunday Night Football coverage concludes in 2026, NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock. Peacock will livestream national Monday night games starting Oct. 27. Today's announcement concludes NBC Sports' on-air commentator team for the 2025-26 NBA season. Play-by-Play Mike Tirico Noah Eagle Terry Gannon Michael Grady Game Analysts Jamal Crawford Reggie Miller Grant Hill Brad Daugherty Derek Fisher Robbie Hummel Austin Rivers (Also studio analyst) Brian Scalabrine (Also studio analyst) Studio Hosts Maria Taylor Ahmed Fareed Studio Analysts Carmelo Anthony Vince Carter Tracy McGrady Game Reporters Jordan Cornette Ashley ShahAhmadi Zora Stephenson NBA Insider Grant Liffmann (Also game reporter) Special Contributor Michael Jordan *** In July 2024, NBCUniversal and the NBA announced an 11-year agreement to present NBA and WNBA regular-season and playoff basketball games across numerous platforms beginning with the 2025-26 season. For more information on the agreement, click here. Emmy Award-winning producer Frank DiGraci is NBC Sports' NBA coordinating producer. In a nod to its original era of NBA coverage from 1990-2002, NBC Sports is bringing back Roundball Rock, one of the most iconic and beloved theme songs in sports history, and will use an AI-generated voice of the late Jim Fagan, a longtime NBC Sports narrator whose voice was synonymous with its NBA coverage and promotion. ABOUT NBC SPORTS NBC Sports connects sports fans to the moments that matter most with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports produces, programs, and promotes premier content across numerous linear and digital platforms, including NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering and presenting many of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, Notre Dame, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of America, The R&A, Churchill Downs, Premier League, and many more. It is renowned for making big events bigger and has produced some of the most-watched sporting events in U.S. media history, including Olympic Games, Super Bowls, and Sunday Night Football, primetime television's No. 1 show for 14 consecutive years. --NBC SPORTS--
NBC Sports
01-07-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
AHMED FAREED NAMED STUDIO HOST FOR NBC SPORTS' BIG TEN COLLEGE COUNTDOWN AND MONDAY NIGHT NBA COVERAGE
Beginning in August, Fareed Will Host NBC Sports' Weekly Primetime College Football Studio Show on Saturday Nights on NBC and Peacock After Football, Fareed Will Host NBC Sports' NBA Studio Show on Monday Nights Exclusively on Peacock STAMFORD, Conn. – July 1, 2025 – Ahmed Fareed has been named NBC Sports' new host of Big Ten College Countdown, its weekly Saturday night primetime college football studio show that begins in August. Following the football season, he will also anchor NBC Sports' Monday night NBA coverage, presented exclusively on Peacock. An extremely versatile host, Fareed has already worked on many of NBC Sports' biggest events and across numerous sports and properties, including the Paris, Beijing, Tokyo, PyeongChang, and Rio Olympics; the Paris and Beijing Paralympics; Premier League; Major League Baseball; college football and basketball; horse racing, and more. 'College football under the lights is sacred, and we've got the crew to match its energy. Plus, helping shape our NBA coverage in its return to NBC Sports? I can't wait to start,' Fareed said. 'I'm thankful to be trusted with these roles. I'm even more motivated by the responsibility that comes with them.' In May, Fareed hosted the majority of the 151st Kentucky Derby in place of Mike Tirico, who left following an allergic reaction. His performance was critically acclaimed, with The Athletic writing, 'Fareed seamlessly handled the host role and found easy chemistry with hosts Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss. Excellent work.' 'Ahmed has repeatedly demonstrated his passion for storytelling, love of college football, and ability to meet the big moments,' said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports. 'He's a wonderful teammate who makes every event he touches feel bigger and forms an instant connection with his analysts. Ahmed's leadership and presence will continue to be a tremendous asset to our coverage of these premier properties.' Fareed, who worked as the in-stadium host and occasional studio host on NBC Sports' first two season of Big Ten football coverage, replaces Maria Taylor as the host of Big Ten College Countdown as she pivots to a new NBA role. Peacock will present exclusive national Monday night NBA games starting this fall as part of NBCUniversal's new media rights agreement with the NBA. Additionally, NBC and Peacock will present doubleheaders on Tuesday nights beginning in October. After Sunday Night Football coverage concludes in Jan. 2026, NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock, debuting on Feb. 1. As previously announced, Taylor will host Sunday and Tuesday nights. Fareed has prior experience working on the NBA, serving as a host on NBC Sports Bay Area's coverage of the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings from 2013-2018. During his tenure with Bay Area, he covered three Warriors NBA championships (2015, 2017, 2018) and five postseason appearances. Fareed won a Sports Emmy as part of NBCUniversal's coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which was honored as Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event. For more information on Fareed, click here. *** In July 2024, NBCUniversal and the NBA announced an 11-year agreement to present NBA and WNBA regular-season and playoff basketball games across numerous platforms beginning with the 2025-26 season. Peacock will livestream exclusive national Monday night games while NBC/Peacock will present doubleheaders on Tuesday nights. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball in 2026 across NBC and Peacock, providing NBA fans with three consecutive nights of national coverage across NBCUniversal platforms during the second half of the regular season. For more information on the agreement, click here. NBC Sports has already announced that Jamal Crawford, Reggie Miller, and Grant Hill will serve as game analysts; Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter as studio analysts; Maria Taylor as studio host; and Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle as play-by-play voices. Michael Jordan has been announced as a special contributor. Emmy Award-winning producer Frank DiGraci is NBC Sports' NBA coordinating producer. In a nod to its original era of NBA coverage from 1990-2002, NBC Sports is bringing back Roundball Rock, one of the most iconic and beloved theme songs in sports history, and will use an AI-generated voice of the late Jim Fagan, a longtime NBC Sports narrator whose voice was synonymous with its NBA coverage and promotion. Additional information about NBC Sports' 2025-26 NBA coverage will be announced soon. ABOUT NBC SPORTS NBC Sports connects sports fans to the moments that matter most with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports produces, programs, and promotes premier content across numerous linear and digital platforms, including NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering and presenting many of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, Notre Dame, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of America, The R&A, Churchill Downs, Premier League, and many more. It is renowned for making big events bigger and has produced some of the most-watched sporting events in U.S. media history, including Olympic Games, Super Bowls, and Sunday Night Football, primetime television's No. 1 show for 14 consecutive years. --NBC SPORTS--
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Maria Taylor Named Lead NBA & WNBA Studio Host For NBC
NBCUniversal is gearing up for its NBA coverage when it begins its long-term rights deal with the league this fall, tapping sports broadcaster Maria Taylor as lead studio host for both the NBA and WNBA. Taylor will host NBC Sports' NBA studio shows on Sunday and Tuesday nights alongside analysts Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter on NBC and Peacock. Along with the studio gig, Taylor will also host select WNBA games on NBC and Peacock in 2026, according to Advertisement More from Deadline The NBA on NBC and Peacock will spotlight national coverage of regional doubleheaders on Tuesday nights beginning in October. After Sunday Night Football coverage concludes in Jan. 2026, NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock on Feb. 1. Peacock will also livestream exclusive national Monday night games starting this fall. Taylor has been the lead host of Football Night in America since 2022. Taylor has also hosted for the Tokyo, Beijing, and Paris Olympics; Big Ten College Countdown and NBC Sports' primetime college football studio program among others. Due to her new NBA role, Taylor will no longer host Big Ten College Countdown. A new host will be announced soon. Advertisement Taylor won a Sports Emmy for Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event as part of NBCUniversal's coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics. 'I'm deeply honored to be part of NBC Sports' incredible legacy covering the NBA and to return to the game that first captured my heart, women's basketball,' said Taylor. 'To know that I'll spend the next five years with my NBC family telling the stories of the Super Bowl, the Olympics, the NBA Playoffs, and the WNBA Finals is more than a dream come true — it's a full-circle moment.' Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
NBC Sports
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
MARIA TAYLOR NAMED NBC SPORTS' LEAD NBA AND WNBA STUDIO HOST
Taylor Will Host NBC Sports' NBA Studio Shows on Sunday and Tuesday Nights Alongside Analysts Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter on NBC and Peacock Beginning in 2026, Taylor Will Host Select WNBA Games on NBC and Peacock STAMFORD, Conn. – June 23, 2025 – Maria Taylor has been named NBC Sports' lead NBA studio host for its coverage of the association, which begins this October on NBC and Peacock. Taylor will host NBC Sports' NBA studio programs on Sunday and Tuesday nights alongside analysts Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter. She will also host select WNBA games on NBC and Peacock when NBC Sports' coverage of the women's league begins in the spring of 2026. One of the most versatile hosts in sports, Taylor has already anchored many of NBC Sports' biggest events. Since 2022, she has been the lead host -- and first full-time female host -- of Football Night in America, the most-watched studio show in sports. Taylor also served as a host for the Tokyo, Beijing, and Paris Olympics; Big Ten College Countdown, NBC Sports' primetime college football studio program; Roland-Garros semifinals and finals; and more. 'I'm deeply honored to be part of NBC Sports' incredible legacy covering the NBA and to return to the game that first captured my heart, women's basketball,' said Taylor. 'To know that I'll spend the next five years with my NBC family telling the stories of the Super Bowl, the Olympics, the NBA Playoffs, and the WNBA Finals is more than a dream come true -- it's a full-circle moment.' NBC and Peacock will present national coverage of regional doubleheaders on Tuesday nights beginning in October. After Sunday Night Football coverage concludes in Jan. 2026, NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball across NBC and Peacock, debuting on Feb. 1. Peacock will also livestream exclusive national Monday night games starting this fall. Beginning in May 2026, Taylor will host select WNBA games on NBC and Peacock. Throughout the 2026 season, NBCUniversal will be home to WNBA regular season and playoff games across NBC and Peacock, as well as the 2026 WNBA Semi-Finals and Finals. 'As the host of Football Night in America and our high-profile programs, Maria has proven that she has the special ability to make her teammates better,' said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports. 'I'm excited to see her bring that same leadership and energy to this new team with Carmelo and Vince, as they build chemistry and set the stage for primetime NBA basketball each week, and the WNBA beginning next year.' Taylor has prior experience working on the NBA having hosted ESPN NBA Countdown playoffs and Finals coverage in recent years. A former Division I volleyball and basketball player at the University of Georgia, she also hosted College Gameday as well as the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament selection show and Final Four coverage during her time at ESPN. As a result of her NBA duties, Taylor will no longer host Big Ten College Countdown. A new host will be announced soon. Taylor won a Sports Emmy as part of NBCUniversal's coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics, which was honored as Outstanding Live Special – Championship Event. Additionally, in 2021, Adweek named her one of the 'Most Powerful Women in Sports,' while in 2022, TIME Magazine included her in its TIME100 Next list, which identifies the 'emerging leaders who are shaping the future.' For more information on Taylor, click here. *** In July 2024, NBCUniversal and the NBA announced an 11-year agreement to present NBA and WNBA regular-season and playoff basketball games across numerous platforms beginning with the 2025-26 season. Peacock will livestream exclusive national Monday night games while NBC/Peacock will present national coverage of regional doubleheaders on Tuesday nights. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball in 2026 across NBC and Peacock, providing NBA fans with three consecutive nights of national coverage across NBCUniversal platforms during the second half of the regular season. For more information on the agreement, click here. NBC Sports has already announced that Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller will serve as game analysts, Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter as studio analysts, and Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle as play-by-play voices. Michael Jordan has been announced as a special contributor. Emmy Award-winning producer Frank DiGraci is NBC Sports' NBA coordinating producer. In a nod to its original era of NBA coverage from 1990-2002, NBC Sports is also bringing back Roundball Rock, one of the most iconic and beloved theme songs in sports history, and will use an AI-generated voice of the late Jim Fagan, a longtime NBC Sports narrator whose voice was synonymous with its NBA coverage and promotion. Additional information about NBC Sports' 2025-26 NBA coverage will be announced soon. ABOUT NBC SPORTS NBC Sports connects sports fans to the moments that matter most with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports produces, programs, and promotes premier content across numerous linear and digital platforms, including NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering and presenting many of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, Notre Dame, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of America, The R&A, Churchill Downs, Premier League, and many more. It is renowned for making big events bigger and has produced some of the most-watched sporting events in U.S. media history, including Olympic Games, Super Bowls, and Sunday Night Football, primetime television's No. 1 show for 14 consecutive years. --NBC SPORTS--
NBC Sports
24-02-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
NO. 2 UCLA VISITS WISCONSIN IN BIG TEN WOMEN'S BASKETBALL THIS WED., FEB. 26, AT 8 P.M. ET EXCLUSIVELY ON PEACOCK, HIGHLIGHTING 12 GAMES ACROSS NBC SPORTS PLATFORMS THIS WEEK
Peacock-Exclusive Big Ten Men's Basketball Doubleheader Tomorrow, Feb. 25, Features Northwestern vs. Minnesota (7 p.m. ET) and Washington vs. No. 11 Wisconsin (9 p.m. ET); Coverage Begins with Big Ten College Countdown at 6:30 p.m. ET on Peacock Three Ranked Teams Highlight Peacock's Exclusive Men's Schedule this Week: Washington vs. No. 11 Wisconsin (Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET), Rutgers vs. No 15 Michigan (Thursday at 9 p.m. ET) and No. 21 Marquette vs. Georgetown (Saturday at 8 p.m. ET) Eligible Students Can Sign-Up to Receive Special Peacock Student Discount Offer for $2.99/Month STAMFORD, Conn. – Feb. 24, 2025 – In the final week of the regular season, the No. 2 UCLA Bruins visit the Wisconsin Badgers in a Big Ten women's basketball matchup this Wed., Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. ET exclusively on Peacock, headlining college basketball coverage across NBC Sports platforms this week. UCLA (26-1) defeated Iowa, 67-65, yesterday as center Lauren Betts tallied a 22-point, 12-rebound double-double and guard Elina Aarnisalo hit a pair of go-ahead free throws with 3.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter to seal the win. The Bruins have won three consecutive games since suffering their first and only loss of the season to USC on Feb. 13. Wisconsin (13-14) beat Northwestern, 73-68, on Sunday behind a double-double from center Carter McCray (22 points, 12 rebounds). Zora Stephenson (play-by-play) and Kim Adams (analyst) will call the game live from the Kohl Center in Madison, Wisc. Also on Wednesday, Peacock streams exclusive coverage of the men's Atlantic 10 matchup between St. Bonaventure and Saint Joseph's (7 p.m. ET) and a BIG EAST showdown as Creighton hosts DePaul (9 p.m. ET). This week's college basketball coverage on Peacock begins tomorrow night, Feb. 25, with a men's Big Ten doubleheader featuring Northwestern (14-13) visiting Minnesota (14-13) at 7 p.m. ET and No. 11 Wisconsin (21-6) hosting Washington (13-14) at 9 p.m. ET. Wisconsin has won five of their past six games and are in third place in the Big Ten. Noah Eagle (play-by-play) and Austin Rivers (analyst) will call Wisconsin-Washington live from the Kohl Center. Tomorrow night's coverage begins with Big Ten College Countdown at 6:30 p.m. ET on Peacock featuring Ahmed Fareed, Jordan Cornette, Josh Pastner, and Vaughn Dalzell. On Thursday, Peacock's exclusive coverage begins with Big Ten College Countdown at 6:30 p.m. ET, leading into a Big Ten women's matchup between Indiana (17-10) and No. 19 Maryland (21-6). Maryland, in fourth place in the Big Ten, topped Northwestern, 85-79, last Thursday. Indiana fell to then-No. 22 Michigan State, 73-65, yesterday. Sloane Martin (play-by-play) and Nikki Cardano-Hillary (analyst) will call the game live from Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Ind. Following Maryland-Indiana on Thursday is No. 15 Michigan (20-6) hosting Rutgers (14-14) in a men's showdown at 9 p.m. ET. Michigan lost to then-No. 14 Michigan State, 75-62, on Friday, snapping a six-game winning streak. Rutgers topped USC, 95-85, yesterday as forward Dylan Harper scored 25 points. Paul Burmeister (play-by-play) and Jalen Rose (analyst) will call the game live from the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor, Mich. As a member of Michigan's famed Fab Five, Rose helped lead the Wolverines to back-to-back National Championship game appearances in 1992 and 1993 as a freshman and sophomore. This weekend's basketball coverage is headlined by a Peacock-exclusive BIG EAST men's matchup between No. 21 Marquette and Georgetown on Saturday, March 1, at 8 p.m. ET. On Sunday, March 2, Peacock streams a Big Ten women's doubleheader featuring Indiana visiting Purdue at 2 p.m. ET and Iowa hosting Wisconsin at 4 p.m. ET. This week's men's college basketball schedule exclusively on Peacock (all times ET): This week's women's college basketball schedule exclusively on Peacock (all times ET): GOT NEXT WITH MEGHAN & ZORA On the most recent episode of Got Next with Meghan & Zora, hosted by NBC Sports commentators and former college basketball players Zora Stephenson and Meghan McKeown, the hosts discuss UConn upsetting South Carolina, and more. Got Next with Meghan & Zora sees the duo talk all things women's basketball, ranging from college to WNBA, on a weekly basis. Tune in for their analysis, news, and top stories, joined by guests to break it all down and share some laughs. Click here for more. NBC SPORTS' 2024-25 COLLEGE BASKETBALL COVERAGE NBC Sports' 2024-25 college basketball season schedule features a record 150-plus games from the Big Ten (men's and women's), BIG EAST (men's), and Atlantic 10 (men's and women's) live on Peacock, NBC, and USA Network. Throughout the season, Peacock will exclusively stream more than 120 games live. Click here for more. Eligible students can sign-up for Peacock's Student Discount offer, available for $2.99/month. For more information and to sign-up, click here. Peacock's expansive sports programming features live coverage including Big Ten Football and Basketball, Sunday Night Football, Notre Dame Football, Big East men's basketball, Olympic and Paralympic Games, Premier League, NASCAR, golf, NBA and WNBA coming in 2025-26, and much more. Peacock also offers daily sports programming on the NBC Sports channel. – NBC Sports –
