In an unexpected turn of events, CNN Sports, a name not prominently associated with sports reporting for decades, emerged as the bearer of breaking news regarding Doc Rivers’ coaching appointment for the Milwaukee Bucks. The news broke after the sudden firing of head coach Adrian Griffin, prompting widespread speculation about potential replacements.
Doc Rivers’ ESPN Connection: Doc Rivers, currently ESPN’s top NBA analyst, was considered a strong candidate for the coaching position. ESPN, with its investment in Rivers and its recently established NBA broadcasting trio featuring Rivers, Doris Burke, and Mike Breen, seemed poised to have insider information on Rivers’ potential departure from broadcasting to coaching.
TNT’s Surprising Revelation: Contrary to expectations, the breaking news about Doc Rivers’ coaching position with the Milwaukee Bucks did not come from ESPN’s renowned NBA insiders such as Adrian Wojnarowski, Mike Wilbon, or Stephen A. Smith. Instead, TNT’s Inside the NBA, during its Tuesday night doubleheader, unveiled the surprising news, attributing it to “CNN Sports.” This revelation left viewers and NBA Twitter perplexed, as CNN Sports had not been associated with breaking sports news for many years.
CNN Sports’ Dormant Status: CNN Sports Tonight, last airing in 2001, marked CNN’s diminishing sports presence. The transition of sports branding to Bleacher Report in recent years and the rebranding to TNT Sports further distanced CNN from sports reporting. Notably, CNN’s sports homepage did not acknowledge the breaking news about Doc Rivers. The absence of a credited reporter added an extra layer of mystery to the unexpected reveal.
Unanswered Questions: The lack of clarity on who broke the story under the banner of “CNN Sports” raised questions about the authenticity and origin of the information. Despite known NBA newsbreakers like Chris Haynes at TNT Sports, the reporting entity remained unnamed, leaving NBA enthusiasts bewildered. Even Jordan Schultz, an NFL insider from Bleacher Report, reported that a deal might not be finalized.
Conclusion: The Doc Rivers coaching news, breaking through the unusual channel of “CNN Sports” on TNT, has added an element of intrigue to the realm of sports reporting. The unanticipated emergence of CNN Sports in the sports news landscape, particularly for a significant NBA coaching appointment, has fueled speculation and raised eyebrows within the sports media community.
Author of Social News Outlet, Tanvi Garg weaves compelling narratives that illuminate the human stories behind headlines.
