Latest news with #LisaSalters
New York Post
20 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Mike Breen shares emotional Lisa Salters message during ESPN reporter's NBA Finals absence
Mike Breen shared a heartfelt message Sunday to his ESPN colleague, top sideline reporter Lisa Salters, who missed Game 2 of the NBA Finals between the Thunder and Pacers to tend to her ailing mother. Moments after sideline reporter Jorge Sedano provided commentary on the second half of the game, with Oklahoma City leading 59-41 in the third, Breen detailed why Sedano was filling in for Salters, whom he described as 'the teammate everyone in our business should strive to have.' 'Jorge is with us today, but we're thinking of our dear friend and colleague, Lisa Salters,' began Breen, who is part of ESPN's top NBA booth that includes Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson. 'Lisa's mom has been dealing with some serious health issues for a while now, so we want to send our love to Lisa and her mom. Although we've never met her mom, we owe her a debt of gratitude for giving us the gift of Lisa Salters, who is the teammate everyone in our business should strive to have.' 5 Lisa Salters, here in December 2024, missed Game 2 of the NBA Finals in June 2025. Getty Images Prior to tipoff Sunday, reports emerged that Salters, 59, would miss Game 2 of the finals in Oklahoma City due to a personal matter. Fever head coach Stephanie White, who is Salters' partner, skipped Indiana's game on Saturday in Chicago amid a 'family emergency,' according to the Indy Star. 5 Mike Breen (r.) sent a heartfelt message to Lisa Salters during Game 2 of the NBA Finals on June 8, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images 5 Breen (r.), here were Richard Jefferson (l.) and Doris Burke (c.), delivered his remarks in the third quarter. NBAE via Getty Images Assistant coach Austin Kelly took over and guided the Fever to a 79-52 victory over the Sky, something Indiana forward DeWanna Bonner hoped her teammates would fight for on behalf of White. 'I really want to win for Steph, she's going through a tough time with her family right now,' Bonner told the Indy Star. 'We want to rally together and get this one for her, but it's also Austin's first time at the helm, so it's double-duty right now.' 5 Lisa Salters covered Game 1 of the NBA Finals on June 5, 2025. NBAE via Getty Images 5 Lisa Salters' partner, Fever head coach Stephanie White (l.), missed the team's win over the Chicago Sky in June 2025. Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images The Fever visit the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday, while Games 3 and 4 of the NBA Finals shift to Indiana starting Wednesday. Salters, also a sideline correspondent on ESPN's 'Monday Night Football,' covered the Pacers' 111-110 Game 1 rally on Thursday in Oklahoma City. The Thunder stormed back in Game 2, 123-107, to even the best-of-seven series at 1-1.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Fans stunned to discover Fever coach Stephanie White's romance with NBA reporter Lisa Salters amid absences
Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White's relationship with a prominent NBA sideline reporter has caused a stir after it emerged that the couple have stepped back from their jobs amid personal issues. White, who has coached Caitlin Clark and co. since the beginning of the WNBA season, missed the Fever's game against the Chicago Sky on Saturday. Just a day later, her absence was followed by Lisa Salters' notable omission from ABC/ESPN's broadcast coverage of the Oklahoma City Thunder's blowout Game 2 win over the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals. Their absences caught fans' attention social media with light being shone on their relationship once again. White and Salters have been romantically involved since at least 2016, according to multiple reports. The longtime partners raise a blended family, sharing four sons - White's three biological children, Landon, 13, and twins Aiden and Avery, 11, from a previous marriage, and Salters' adopted son, Samuel, 11. The WNBA head coach missed the Fever's game Saturday, while sideline reporter Salters was absent from ABC/ESPN's coverage of Game 2 of the NBA Finals However, despite their lengthy relationship, some social media users were stunned to learn of their romance. 'Learning Lisa Salters is actually in a relationship to Stephanie White was kinda mind blowing for me,' one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Meanwhile, another asked: 'Lisa Salters is married to Stephanie White? #ThingsImjustfindingout.' The couple reportedly stepped away from their respective roles as Salters' mother battles a health issue. ABC/ESPN play-by-play announcer Mike Breen announced the news as he issued a touching message to the sideline reporter and her mother Sunday night. 'We are thinking of our dear friend and colleague, Lisa Salters,' the Hall-of-Fame announcer said during the Thunder's Game 2 win over the visiting Pacers on Sunday in Oklahoma City. 'Lisa's mom has been dealing with some serious health issues for a while now, so we want to send our love to Lisa and her mom. 'Although we've never met her mom, we owe her a debt of gratitude for giving us the gift of Lisa Salters, who is the teammate everyone in our business should strive to have,' Breen added. Jorge Sedano, who typically works for ESPN radio, stepped up to fill in for Salters' duties for Game 2 of the Finals. Salters has been a tremendous asset for WBAL-TV in Baltimore and ESPN, covering everything from the OJ Simpson murder trial to Olympic and World Cup coverage. But it's in the NBA where she's become most recognized. She joined ESPN in 2000 as a general assignment reporter and switched to the network's NBA coverage in 2005. A native of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Salters played basketball at Penn State, where she also got her bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. Meanwhile, White missed practice for personal reasons on Friday and didn't make the trip to Chicago with the Fever. Assistant coach Austin Kelly served as head coach in her absence, with assistants Karima Christmas-Kelly and Briann January stepping into bigger roles. 'I really want to win for Steph, she's going through a tough time with her family right now,' Fever star DeWanna Bonner said before Saturday night's win, via the IndyStar. 'We want to rally together and get this one for her, but it's also Austin's first time at the helm, so it's double-duty right now.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
ESPN's Mike Breen sends emotional message to Lisa Salters as she misses NBA Finals game due it family issue
Lisa Salters, the veteran ABC/ESPN sideline reporter and staple of the networks' NBA coverage, missed Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Sunday as her mother battles health problems. In her absence, play-by-play announcer Mike Breen issued a touching message to Salters and her mother. 'We are thinking of our dear friend and colleague, Lisa Salters,' the Hall-of-Fame announcer said during the Thunder's Game 2 win over the visiting Pacers on Sunday in Oklahoma City. 'Lisa's mom has been dealing with some serious health issues for a while now, so we want to send our love to Lisa and her mom. 'Although we've never met her mom, we owe her a debt of gratitude for giving us the gift of Lisa Salters, who is the teammate everyone in our business should strive to have,' Breen added. Salters has been a tremendous asset for WBAL-TV in Baltimore and ESPN, covering everything from the OJ Simpson murder trial to Olympic and World Cup coverage. But it's in the NBA where she's become most recognized. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White missed a game for personal reasons this week as her partner Lisa Salters' mother continues to battle health issues There had been some curiosity about Salters' absence before Breen's announcement as fans noticed the former Penn State guard was missing from ABC's Game 2 broadcast. Just days earlier, Salters' partner and Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White missed a game due to 'personal reasons.' 'Lisa Salters and Stephanie White both skipping work for personal reasons,' conservative sports media personality Jason Whitlock wrote on X. 'I'll be interested to hear the explanation.' That explanation now appears to be related to the health of Salters' mother – something Whitlock's followers suspected before Breen's announcement. 'It's probably family related and if I were to guess involves a parent,' one person wrote on X in response to Whitlock. 'I'm positive they have very good reason.' A native of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, Salters played basketball at Penn State, where she also got her bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. She also happens to be cousins with 1976 Heisman Trophy winner Tony Dorsett.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Major Update on Stephanie White's Partner Lisa Salters Amid Sky Game Absence
Major Update on Stephanie White's Partner Lisa Salters Amid Sky Game Absence originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White was not on the bench for Saturday's 79-52 win over the Chicago Sky. Advertisement She missed practice on Friday due to "personal reasons," leaving her status for the game uncertain. As tip-off approached, a team spokesperson confirmed to IndyStar's Chloe Peterson that White would not be in attendance. Aside from "personal reasons," no details were provided. Regardless, the team stepped up with Caitlin Clark and Sophie Cunningham out due to injury, giving first assistant coach Austin Kelly his first win as a WNBA head coach. It's unclear when White will return, but on Sunday, a major update was shared that could provide more clarity on why she hasn't been with the team over the past several days. Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White.© Grace Smith-INDIANAPOLIS STAR-Imagn Images Game 2 of the 2025 NBA Finals is Sunday night, and White's partner, Lisa Salters, was replaced on ESPN's sideline reporting team by Jorge Sedano. Advertisement In a statement to Front Office Sports, ESPN said Salters is dealing with a personal issue. 'Lisa is attending to a personal matter. We send her our best," ESPN wrote. White and Salters have been in a romantic relationship since at least 2016. While they aren't married, they've raised a blended family consisting of White's three children from her previous marriage and Salters' adopted son. In the offseason, White returns to their home in Nashville, Tennessee, where Salters lives full time. The first game White can return to the Fever is on Tuesday, when they face the Dream in Atlanta. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. EST. Advertisement Related: Price Tag of Caitlin Clark's Luxury Watch Before Angel Reese Game Revealed Related: Candace Parker Doesn't Entertain Caitlin Clark – Angel Reese Rivalry This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN Announces Update on Sideline Reporter Lisa Salters
ESPN will be without its top sideline reporter for Game 2 of the NBA Finals on Saturday night. Lisa Salters, who is part of the network's top NBA broadcasting crew along with play-by-play man Mike Breen and analysts Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson, will not be working tonight's game between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Advertisement Jorge Sedano will replace Salters. According to ESPN PR, through Front Office Sports' Ryan Glasspiegel, Salters is dealing with "a personal matter." "We send her our best," ESPN said. No further information has been made available, which isn't surprising given that it's a personal issue. We're hoping Salters is not dealing with anything too serious, and we also wish her the best. It should be noted that her longtime partner, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, also missed practice and a game this weekend for personal reasons, so perhaps the two are dealing with a family matter. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 17: ESPN reporter Lisa Salters looks on during warmups before the championship game of the Emirates NBA Cup between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Oklahoma City Thunder at T-Mobile Arena on December 17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bucks defeated the Thunder has been at ESPN since 2000. During that time, she's served as a sideline reporter for Monday Night Football and other NFL assignment, in addition to the NBA. Advertisement Salters, who won a Sports Emmy in 2023, was also the sideline reporter for ABC's Saturday Night Football college football from 2006-10 and has drawn acclaim for her general assignment reporting as well. Game 2 between the Pacers and Thunder is set for 8 p.m. ET tonight on ABC. Indiana stole Game 1 Thursday night with yet another remarkable playoff comeback, rallying from down 14 in the fourth quarter to win on star point guard Tyrese Haliburton's jump shot with 0.3 seconds remaining. Oklahoma City will aim to even the series tonight. It's essentially a must-win for the favored Thunder, as teams that lose the first two games of a postseason series at home typically don't fare well. ESPN Announces Update on Sideline Reporter Lisa Salters first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 8, 2025
