ESPN made a historic change for the Christmas NBA games by replacing Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson with Doris Burke on their broadcast team.
Doris Burke is a trailblazing sports broadcaster who covers college and professional basketball.
Highlights
- Doris Burke and Gregg Burke, a college golf coach, were married for over a decade.
- The duo divorced in 2012 but are on good terms despite their split.
- Doris and Gregg continue to support each other as parents and grandparents.
Growing up in Manasquan, New Jersey, as the youngest of eight siblings, Doris developed a passion for basketball early on.
She played as the point guard at her high school and went on to play for the Providence College women’s basketball team.
After earning degrees in Health Service Administration and Social Work and a Master’s in Education, Doris began her broadcasting career in 1990, working as a radio analyst for women’s basketball at Providence.
She joined ESPN in 1991, initially covering men’s college basketball, and later transitioned to NBA coverage in 2003-2004.
Doris made history by becoming the first woman to commentate on a New York Knicks game, cover a Big East men’s basketball game, and serve as the lead commentator for a men’s college basketball conference.
In 2017, she made further strides by becoming the first woman to have a full-time role as an NBA analyst at ESPN.
She reached another milestone in 2023 when she became part of the central broadcasting team for the NBA Conference Finals and NBA Finals, alongside Mike Breen and Doc Rivers, making her the first woman ever in that role.
The Untold Story Of Doris Burke And Her Split From Gregg Burke In 2012
Doris Burke and Gregg Burke, a college golf coach, were married for over a decade, although their wedding date is unknown.
Gregg Burke worked as the Sports Information Director at Holy Cross Athletics from April 1982 until October 1987.
In October 1987, he transitioned to Providence College, taking on the role of Associate Director of Athletics.
Shortly after, Gregg Burke started GB Productions, a consulting firm, and served as the company’s Owner and President until September 2004.
That same month, he became the Deputy Director of Athletics and the Head Golf Coach at the University of Rhode Island.
Though he departed his Deputy position in September 2014, he continues to serve as the university’s Head Golf Coach.
They both earned Master’s degrees in Education from Providence College around the same time, which likely means they met while in graduate school.
Together, they had two children: a daughter named Sarah and a son named Matthew.
The couple divorced in 2012, but despite their split, they remain on good terms and are active grandparents.
In May 2022, they welcomed their grandson, Harrison Rhys Mickles, and in November 2023, their granddaughter, Eliza Josephine Mickles, was born.
Though they’re no longer married, Doris and Gregg continue to support each other as parents and grandparents.
In 2020, while commentating on a game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Memphis Grizzlies, Doris made a playful remark about being right, jokingly mentioning her ex-husband.
“I do like being right. Ask my ex-husband,”
Doris Burke
Her co-commentator, Mark Jones, laughed and commented lightheartedly about their past.
“There is a reason it’s ex, huh?”
Make Jones
In June 2024, Gregg shared a photo of himself and Doris at their child’s wedding.
He wrote a heartfelt caption, saying he would always support Doris as “the mother of my children” and wished her the best, showing that despite their divorce, they still have a friendly relationship.
Additional Information
- In 2003, she received the USA Today Rudy Award for Best New Face in Sports Television.
- Doris was also inducted into the Institute for International Sports Scholar-Athlete Hall of Fame in 2004.
- In 2012, Doris received the Silver Anniversary Award from the NCAA for her athletic and professional achievements.
