ESPN Launches '2021NBA Draft' Coverage on July 29

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

ABC, ESPN to simulcast first round of the draft

ESPN's 2020 NBA Draft coverage
(Image credit: ESPN)

 ESPN and ABC will team to provide live coverage of the 2021 NBA Draft on July 29.

The first round of the draft  will air on both ESPN and ABC, with ESPN providing live second round coverage, said the network. Rece Davis will host ESPN’s coverage of the draft while Kevin Negandhi handles hosting duties for ABC alongside NBA analysts Jalen Rose and Chiney Ogwumike, said ESPN. 

ESPN and the league are hoping to improve on the 2.6 million viewers the network drew for the 2020 NBA Draft, which was held this past November weeks after the league ended its truncated, pandemic-delayed season. 

ESPN2 tonight (July28) will air a NBA Draft Preview show that will discuss the biggest NBA Draft storylines, top picks and possible trades, said the network. 

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R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.