ESPN’s Tim Legler has become one of the most enjoyable studio analysts in sports television. Legler, who’s been at ESPN for over two decades, will see his contract with the network expire later this summer.
Legler’s analysis is valuable at a time where disgruntled NBA fans have criticized Legler’s employer and otherwise for how they’ve covered the game. If ESPN loses Legler, that’s a significant loss especially for the smart crowd of sports fans.
After the 2024 NBA Finals concluded Monday night, Legler joined Scott Van Pelt on SportsCenter. Van Pelt offered very kind and encouraging words to Legler, who is potentially on his way out.
Scott Van Pelt with a nice tribute to Tim Legler, whose contract at ESPN is reportedly set to expire this summer.
“I don’t want to lose you, but if we lose you some because you’re out there doing games, then that will be cool with me. Because you’re not good at this man, you’re… pic.twitter.com/rblfStYN3w
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 18, 2024
“This wraps up the end of it. There’s nobody who I enjoy sitting with more, watching the games, doing this with… and I love the fact that whether it’s podcasts, ro going to do games, I feel like NBA Twitter and NBA fans get that this dude is the best there is,” Van Pelt said. “I don’t wanna lose ya, but if we lose ya some because you’re out there doing games that will be cool with me. Because you’re not good at this man. You’re great at this.”
SVP’s words struck a chord with fans who found his message. Everyone had nice things to say about what Van Pelt said about Tim Legler Monday night.
I was just thinking, if Inside leaves the stage, then Legs/SVP is the top “chatting about NBA” segment. Didn’t realize the contract situation here. https://t.co/4vWVAQQODv
— Jason Walker (@JasonWalkerNBA) June 18, 2024
Hoping Tim goes to NBC as the lead color commentator. https://t.co/DCsInlNkTX
— Guzz (@cguzzle) June 18, 2024
Fans and followers have expressed concern and disappointment over the possibility of Legler leaving ESPN, praising his insightful and unbiased basketball coverage. Many believe that ESPN would be making a mistake by not renewing his contract, as he is considered one of the best… https://t.co/po4tCymwPT
— SpursReport (@SpursReporter) June 18, 2024
ESPN would be making a BIG mistake not re-signing him! He is fabulous! https://t.co/AYV330hdQH
— SharLove40 (@SharLove40) June 18, 2024
Never have heard one person ever say “I enjoy commentary from Kendrick Perkins.” But yeah let this dude walk https://t.co/h81VYuTUaC
— Alex (@alex_f412) June 18, 2024
Amid a lot of criticism the network’s received, it would perhaps be very unwise for them not to re-sign Legler. But Van Pelt offered this up, which also caused a lot of elation.
That’s my guy. People turned this into him leaving. He’s not going anywhere – I just want to see him get the biggest and best opportunities we have because he’s THAT guy. Brilliant hoop mind. Which he shows every time he sits down with me.
— Scott Van Pelt (@notthefakeSVP) June 18, 2024
About Chris Novak
Chris Novak has been talking and writing about sports ever since he can remember. Previously, Novak wrote for and managed sites in the SB Nation network for nearly a decade from 2013-2022