Beth Mowins was the first woman to call “Monday Night Football” games in 2017, making history at ESPN. When ESPN announces and has an all-women NBA game, Mowins will once again be part of the network’s first ever.
Mowins will be working the Golden State Warriors–Utah JazzGame with Doris Burke, analyst, and Lisa Salters, reporter on Wednesday (10:15 p.m. ET, ESPN). Additionally, 33 additional women will be handling production roles at Salt Lake City’s ESPN headquarters and in the control room at Bristol, Connecticut’s ESPN headquarters.
Mowins stated, “I think it is exciting to kinda celebrate.” “There are some women that have been in the league for quite some time and others like myself that are new to it.
Mowins indicated that she believes it will soon be a common practice to have a game called by and produced entirely by women.
Mowins stated that while it is important to celebrate milestones, he believes we are closer to the day when it won’t seem so big and will feel natural and comfortable.
Mowins joined ESPN in 1994. Although she has worked primarily on college football, basketball, and the Women’s College World Series for most of her career, she began calling NBA games this year. Burke is a top ESPN NBA analyst and she has covered the NBA Finals two times on ESPN Radio. Salters will serve as the main sideline reporter for ABC’s coverage.
Sara Gaiero, coordinating producer, stated that it was incredibly rewarding to work with these women and witness the talent in a variety roles on the NBA property. Each of these women contributes valuablely to the NBA productions. They do an amazing job of capturing the NBA’s highest level games. It is so thrilling to watch.