As NBA Dealmaking Window Closes, ESPN’s “NBA Today” Soars
Thursday promises "Woj Bombs," Trade Machine analysis of blockbuster deals and more; here's how the NBA Today: Trade Deadline Special will cover it
NBA Today, ESPN’s NBA studio show that launched at the start of the season, is having an all-star rookie campaign. In fact, the show was up in viewership again for January, delivering an average of 330,000 viewers per day, an increase of 30 percent from January 2021 and up five percent from January 2020. This follows the show’s audiences gains in December 2021, which was also up over the past two years, according to Nielsen.
The momentum comes just in time for one of NBA Today’s pillar dates on the calendar: the NBA trade deadline. Thursday’s special three-hour show, titled NBA Today: Trade Deadline Special, begins at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN and runs through the deadline itself, until 4 p.m. All of the afternoon’s late-breaking news, including any and all “Woj Bombs” will be documented and discussed.
“This show is something our team looks forward to all season,” said Hilary Guy, NBA Today’s coordinating producer. “This year, we’ve amassed an extensive team of insiders, analysts, and reporters to join our show live. With the potential news of a Ben Simmons-James Harden trade and the other significant moves we’ve already seen this week, we plan to bring all the breaking news, instant analysis, and comprehensive breakdowns to our viewers on this important day. Bring on the adrenaline rush!”
The NBA Today: Trade Deadline Special will feature a who’s who of top NBA reporters, analysts and voices. NBA Today host Malika Andrews leads the charge with a bevy of heavy hitters, including reporters Adrian Wojnarowski, Bobby Marks, Ramona Shelburne, Brian Windhorst, Zach Lowe, Kendra Andrews, Dave McMenamin and more.
Additionally, analysts Kendrick Perkins, Richard Jefferson, Chiney Ogwumike, Stephen A. Smith, Tim Legler and Michael Wilbon will offer insights and opinions. Wojnarowski and members of the NBA Today team will also appear across ESPN platforms throughout the day, leading up to – and through – the NBA trade deadline.
“The trades we’ve seen happen across the NBA over the last several days have already shaken up the league,” said Malika Andrews. “NBA Today’s inaugural trade deadline special will keep our fans informed with up-to-the-minute reporting from Woj and our team of insiders. This show is going to be fun (isn’t everything with Perk, Chiney, and RJ?!), dynamic, and the place to be for all things trades. Ready or not, here we go!”
The next pillar dates for the NBA Today crew are Thursday, Feb. 17, and Friday, Feb. 18 for shows surrounding NBA All-Star 2022. The show will emanate from FirstEnergy Stadium, home of the NFL’s Browns in Cleveland, Ohio, to capture all of the on-site festivities and document the latest news from All-Star.
