Brian Windhorst Hopes to Stay at ESPN, Wants Amazon and NBC to Hire Reporters

August 4, 2025

Brian Windhorst, NBA media, ESPN — ESPN/Screengrab

Brian Windhorst may not know where he’s headed next, but he knows what he wants to see happen in NBA media.

In an appearance on Sports Media with Richard Deitsch last month, Windhorst said there have been “no negotiations” on a new deal with ESPN, though he made it clear he would like to stay. At the same time, the NBA insider called on Amazon and NBC to start hiring more actual reporters.

“I say this completely in self-interest, I’m gonna be totally transparent,” Windhorst said, via Awful Announcing. “I hope Amazon and NBC hire some reporters. Because I’m watching all these people that they’re hiring, and they’re hiring all these [former players]. Blake Griffin and Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki and Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade. That’s awesome. I have a relationship with all these guys. I love them.”

Both networks have gone heavy on former players in recent months. NBC even added a former Hawks executive. But neither has added a Windhorst-type voice — or any reporter, really.

Windhorst is not looking to replace ex-players. He says he gets why networks want them. He just doesn’t believe that’s enough.

“I understand that there’s nothing comparable to coming off a big game, or coming to halftime, and hearing what Charles Barkley has to say. And that’s not ever gonna get replaced,” he said. “But Barkley and Shaq and Kenny can’t do every game.”

Windhorst pointed to Cassidy Hubbarth, who left ESPN for Prime Video, as someone who brings real reporting value. She’ll be joined by Allie Clifton and Kristina Pink. All three are proven pros when it comes to delivering context, not just commentary.

Windhorst likely knows how this sounds. He is not a former player. Of course he wants reporters in the mix. But his argument is not about replacing anyone. It is about building a better team.

“The golden triangle that I have noticed, that some of the best TV that has been done, is a reporter that knows the league to give context to what’s going on, an active or former executive, because so much that the NBA does now is strategy based, and then having a former player or coach,” Windhorst said.

The formula works. The question is whether anyone at Amazon or NBC is paying attention.