Robin Roberts, famed for her work on 'Good Morning America,' is stepping back into the sports broadcast booth for one night only. On July 7, she will reunite with former co-host and University of Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma to call a Women’s National Basketball Association game, marking nearly three decades since they introduced the league to TV audiences.
- Robin Roberts returns to ESPN for a WNBA broadcast on July 7
- She reunites with Geno Auriemma nearly 30 years after their first WNBA game call
- Roberts is also executive producing a new series about the Toronto Tempo
What happened
Robin Roberts, a well-known television host on 'Good Morning America,' will be returning to ESPN to commentate a Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) game on July 7. The event marks a special reunion with Geno Auriemma, her former co-broadcaster who is now the head coach at the University of Connecticut. Together, they will call the game between the New York Liberty and the Dallas Wings.
This reunion is especially meaningful because Roberts and Auriemma were the original ESPN broadcast team for the first-ever WNBA game in 1997. ESPN announced the surprise event on Instagram, highlighting the reunion and the involvement of commentator Beth Mowins for this significant and celebratory broadcast.
Why it feels good
Robin Roberts describes this upcoming broadcast as a full-circle moment, saying it feels like coming home. Reflecting on their original work in 1997, Roberts and Auriemma recognized the moment as historic in elevating women's sports on television. Returning now, nearly 30 years later, she feels honored to celebrate the continued growth and success of the WNBA.
Fans have expressed excitement and nostalgia about Roberts’ return to ESPN’s WNBA coverage, celebrating her career and the role she played in bringing the league’s stories to viewers from its debut. This event not only honors the past but also looks ahead to the league’s promising future.
What to enjoy or watch next
Beyond this one-time broadcast, Robin Roberts is further involved with ESPN through a new executive production role. She is producing a series called 'Setting the Tempo,' which documents the Toronto Tempo as they embark on their inaugural season in the WNBA, spotlighting fresh stories in the league’s expanding narrative.
For basketball and sports fans, watching Roberts return to the WNBA commentary booth is a nostalgic treat. Mark your calendars for the July 7 Liberty-Wings game and stay tuned for 'Setting the Tempo' to get a closer look at the evolving world of women’s professional basketball.