ESPN Confirms Deal for Former Sixers Coach Doc Rivers

ESPN officially adds Doc Rivers to their roster.

Doc Rivers is back in the game, playing a different role this time around. For the second time in his post-playing career, the former Philadelphia 76ers head coach will take up a role in broadcasting.

A couple of weeks back, it was reported that ESPN had plans to put Rivers on commentary for the 2023-2024 NBA season. On Monday, the network announced its recent changes, which include the confirmation of adding Rivers to the broadcast.

“ESPN today announced its reimagined NBA game and studio coverage plans for the 2023-24 season. NBA Champion Head Coach Doc Rivers will join Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame broadcasters Doris Burke and Mike Breen to form the new lead commentator team. The trio, along with reporter Lisa Salters, will call the NBA Finals, Eastern Conference Finals, NBA Playoffs, Christmas Day and the NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC series. The team will make its debut during ESPN’s opening week of NBA coverage in October. ESPN has reached a multi-year deal with Rivers as well as a multi-year extension with Burke.”

Rivers joins ESPN after wrapping up a three-year run as the head coach of the 76ers. Back in 2020, Rivers concluded his time as the head coach of the Los Angeles Clippers following his seventh season in charge. 

At the time, the Clippers decided a new voice running the show would be best. Therefore, they promoted Rivers’s former assistant, Tyronn Lue, to take over. As for Rivers, he jumped to the front of the line for the vacant head coach position in Philadelphia after they fired up a search following the Brett Brown era, which spanned seven seasons.

The Sixers found moderate success under Rivers but did not accomplish their initial goal. As championship hopefuls under Rivers, the Sixers advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals in each of the three seasons Rivers was in charge. Unfortunately, a second-round loss in 2023 marked the third-straight time the Sixers failed to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

With two seasons left on his contract, Rivers hoped to fulfill his deal and was under the impression he would get a chance to return for a fourth season in Philly. However, Daryl Morey and the Sixers’ front office had different plans.

The Sixers moved on from Rivers, landing Nick Nurse to replace him as head coach. Meanwhile, Rivers was considered a finalist for the Phoenix Suns coaching job to replace Monty Williams. Shortly before the Suns announced their choice to replace Williams, Rivers withdrew his name from the race. Ultimately, Phoenix hired Frank Vogel.

It’s unclear if Rivers would consider a return to the bench in the future, but for the time being, he’ll return to the broadcast table with ESPN. The last time Rivers called a game was back during the 2004 NBA Finals. He’ll be back on the mic in October for the start of next season.