For the first time in his impressive career, longtime TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager is set to work an NBA Finals game.
ESPN announced on Wednesday that Sager, who has worked for Turner Sports for 34 years, will be joining the ESPN/ABC broadcast team for Game 6 between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors.
“I’d like to thank Turner and ESPN for approaching me with this tremendous opportunity to be part of The Finals broadcast team,” Sager said in an ESPN news release. “I’ve been watching the series very closely and, while I do not want to distract in any way from the event itself, I look forward to being in the building for what will be an incredibly exciting Game 6. The NBA community is a very special one and this is a great honor.”
Sager was diagnosed with leukemia in 2014, and he has been fighting a tough battle since. He revealed back in March that his cancer is no longer in remission. He continued to work through the playoffs while undergoing chemotherapy, sometimes traveling between treatments and NBA arenas in the same day.
“Craig is an iconic member of the NBA family who indelibly makes his mark on each and every broadcast,” ESPN executive vice president John Wildhack said. “I know our entire team is delighted to work with Craig for Game 6. We all agree his professional reputation is second-to-none, though it’s his personal reputation – that of class, selflessness and respect – which makes this even more special for our team. We hope that this will be a special night for Craig and for NBA fans. We are grateful for his interest and for the continued collaboration with our friends at Turner.”
That’s a classy gesture from ESPN. The network will also be presenting Sager with the Jimmy V Award for Perseverance at the ESPYs next month.
