The Woman Who Calls It like She Sees It Against a Lineup of Sports Men
Editor’s Note: This Women’s History Month, Bumble is celebrating women from all walks of life, across centuries and generations, who didn’t believe in sticking to the rules. These founding members of our First Movers Club didn’t let gender norms — or anything else! — hold them back. They left their mark by making the first move, and the world is a better place thanks to their bravery and boldness.
As a 2018 Basketball Hall of Fame inductee and Curt Gowey Media Award winner for broadcasting, Doris Burke is no stranger to breaking records. The first woman become one of ESPN’s NBA regular game analysts, Burke’s wry sense of humor, unapologetic femininity, and intimate knowledge of the game make her one of ESPN’s most sought after commentators.
Accustomed to making tough calls on and off the court, Burke doesn’t hesitate to make her voice heard, whether she’s calling a championship game or speaking out against ageism in media. For more of Burke’s career slam dunks, read the highlights below!
- A Hall of Famer multiple times over, Burke’s alma mater, Providence College, bestowed the honor on her for being the all-time leader in assists in 1999. She was just the fifth woman to be inducted.
- With a fan base ranging from fellow broadcasters to music icon Drake, Burke’s insightful commentary has garnered her a large amount of respect and clout across the NBA.
- Throughout her career, Burke has shown a fierce dedication to women’s equality. For one, she became the first woman to serve as a regular NBA game analyst for ESPN in 2017.
- Despite her inspirational example, Burke doesn’t relish in being known as a “trailblazer” in her field. Instead, she focuses on creating future leaders by mentoring and befriending other female sports broadcasters in the industry.