Rockets sideline reporter Vanessa Richardson lands expanded ESPN role ahead of NBA season

The 2026-27 NBAregular season is just under one week away, with a tripleheader broadcast live on NBC and Peacock set for opening night. While Opening Night is on NBC, ESPNwill be a prominent home for the league, and the network announced its roster of announcers and reporters for the upcoming year.

Among them is rising sideline reporter Vanessa Richardson, who spent the past four seasons with the Houston Rockets. On Friday, Richardson bid farewell to the Rockets as she prepares for an expanded role at ESPN for the upcoming season and beyond.

“Serving as sideline reporter of the Rockets for the past four seasons did not just change my career; it changed my life,” Richardson wrote in a statement on social media.

She continued her lengthy farewell with shoutouts to her colleagues, the Rockets organization and the Houston fans.

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Vanessa Richardson Joining ESPN NBA Team

“To Rockets fans, I hope I did you all justice by showing you how special your favorite team truly is,” she added. “The future is bright in Houston because the people at the top care… And, of course, thank you to the players and your families. It was a complete honor and a joy. Each one of you has a fan in me forever.”

Following her lengthy goodbye, Richardson went on to explain what is next with her expanded role on ESPN.

“A few years ago I began working part-time at ESPN as a fill-in sports talk radio host,” Richardson noted. “Each opportunity for growth has been a dream; from digital shows at the NBA Finals to reporting at summer league, the draft, and every event with this league I love so much. I’m grateful to continue the journey at ESPN in an expanded role, and I’m ready to get to work.”

Richardson now joins Lisa Salters, Katie George, Malika Andrews, Jorge Sedano, Alyssa Lang, Taylor McGregor, and Angel Gray on the ESPN sideline roster, according to the network. She is also expected to continue working on the digital pre-game show Hoop Streams, alongside Iman Shumpert.

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Source: sports.yahoo.com — article syndicated from the publisher’s feed; all rights remain with the original publisher.