An upcoming NBA game between the Utah Jazz and Golden State Warriors in Salt Lake City will be announced and directed by an all-female crew, ESPN announced Thursday.
Why this matters: This is the first time ESPN has had an entirely female crew cover an event.
Details: Play-by-play broadcaster Beth Mowins, ESPN analyst Doris Burke and reporter Lisa Salters will all work on the Feb. 9 game.
- The game will include 33 women in production roles.
- These women will work on-site in Salt Lake City at the Vivint Arena and from the Stanford, Connecticut, headquarters for ESPN.
What they’re saying: “I think it’s exciting to kind of celebrate,” Mowins told The Associated Press. ”There are a lot of the women that have been around the league for a while, and then others like me that are kind of new to it.”
- “I think it’s important to still celebrate some of these big milestones, but I really do believe we’re getting closer to the day where it won’t be such a big deal and it will be very natural and very comfortable,” she added.
- Sara Gaiero, ESPN coordinating producer, said in a statement: “To work alongside these women and see the depth of talent we have in a variety of roles on this NBA property is incredibly rewarding. Each of these women make regular, valuable contributions to our NBA productions. I am so excited to watch them do what they do best — document an NBA game at the highest level.”
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The bigger picture: ESPN’s announcement comes amid several achievements for women in the sports industry.
- The Milwaukee Bucks announced Lisa Byington would be the first female, full time play-by-play TV announcer for the team.
- Maia Chaka recently became the first Black woman to officiate an NFL game earlier this season in a game between the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers,