Doris Burke’s rise from collegiate standout to ESPN’s most trusted voice has been anything but linear. She never set out to be a broadcaster—“all the way through college, the idea that I could become a broadcaster [was] laughable to me,” said the ESPN broadcaster.

Yet, here she is, cemented as a basketball icon and pulling in serious paydays. So, today we’ll break down how she got here. And don’t worry, we’ll dissect everything. And that includes what she’s signed on for, and where that leaves her bank account in 2025. So let’s get cracking!

What is Doris Burke’s contract with ESPN?

Back in 2022, ESPN made it official: they wanted Burke for the long haul. As the Sports Business Journal put it, “ESPN is locking up one of the biggest names in NBA coverage for the foreseeable future.” And lock her up, they did!

The deal is multi-year, meaning you’ll see her calling regular season and playoff games—and yes, she’s on the mic for finals action on ESPN Radio. Plus, you’ll catch her insights on the NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC. Despite all the fanfare, the network played its cards close to the vest, not releasing the exact value of this deal. But if you ask us, it’s a pretty clear signal that she’s one of the highest-paid analysts in the business.

What is Doris Burke’s net worth in 2025?

Fast forward to today: Burke’s net worth sits at a reported $4 million according to ClutchPoints. That figure reflects more than three decades of carving out a unique niche in sports broadcasting. After all, Doris has built a career most only dream about.

And we’re not just talking about her ESPN career. No, it stems from her days as a point guard for the Providence Friars. And now, at 59, she’s just signed that fresh multiyear extension, cementing her as a fixture of basketball coverage for years to come. And that $4 million? It’s a testament to her value, both on-camera and in the boardroom.

Doris Burke’s Broadcasting Career

Burke’s journey behind the mic began almost by accident. After college, she dove into radio, covering Providence’s women’s games throughout the ’90s. She also became a linchpin of ESPN’s WNBA coverage. And not just that, she spent years as the New York Liberty’s primary voice on TV and radio. By the 2000s, she was shattering glass ceilings. She was the first woman to call New York Knicks games and the men’s Big East Tournament.

Then came a decade as the NBA Finals sideline reporter, from 2009 to 2019. But she hit another milestone at this time, stepping into a full-time NBA analyst role during the regular season. This made her the first woman at the national level to do so.

If you’ve ever played NBA 2K, you know her voice as the sideline reporter in every edition. Well, since 2K11, at least. Off the court, she’s just as accomplished, if not more. She earned her bachelor’s in health service administration and social work.

Then went on to get a master’s in education. Providence even awarded her an honorary doctorate in 2005. Through it all, she remains humble. “I feel like I get credit I don’t deserve in terms of advancing the cause for women because of what I’ve done professionally,” she says. But her influence and relevance? Now, they’re truly undeniable!

“I started as a broadcaster because I love the game of basketball and that remains the reason I’m in it,”  revealed Doris. But don’t be fooled into thinking she’s all business. She still gets nervous speaking in front of a crowd. “Speaking in a classroom—all the way from elementary school, to high school, to college—would provoke abject terror for me,” she admits. And yet, every time you watch a big game on ESPN or listen on the radio, there she is—calm, insightful, and totally at home.

Doris Burke didn’t plan to become a trailblazer. She just fell in love with basketball and kept showing up. Today, with a $4 million net worth, a multi-year ESPN deal, and a résumé filled with firsts, her role goes beyond an announcer. She’s proof. Proof that passion and a lot of hard work can turn the “laughable” into the legendary.