Context:

NBC Sports has announced that the AI-generated voice of the late Jim Fagan, a renowned narrator from the 1990s, will be used in their NBA coverage starting in the 2025-26 season. Fagan's voice will be featured in various promotional elements, evoking nostalgia for the era when his iconic voice was a staple of NBA broadcasts. His family has expressed gratitude towards NBC Sports for preserving his legacy in this innovative way. The decision follows NBC's recent acquisition of media rights for NBA and WNBA games, as part of an 11-year agreement with Comcast/NBC Universal. The deal is part of a broader $76 billion media rights arrangement involving Amazon and Disney, with ESPN continuing its partnership with the NBA.

Dive Deeper:

• NBC Sports will incorporate the AI-generated voice of Jim Fagan, who was a prominent voice actor and narrator for the network during the 1990s, into its NBA coverage starting in the 2025-26 season. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to blend nostalgia with modern technology in sports broadcasting.

• Jim Fagan's voice will be utilized in select promotional elements such as title sequences and show opens, thanks to the permission granted by his family. His daughters have expressed their appreciation to NBC Sports for honoring their father's legacy through this project.

• NBC Sports' decision to use Fagan's AI-generated voice aligns with their new 11-year agreement with Comcast/NBC Universal, which secures the rights to broadcast regular and postseason NBA and WNBA games across multiple platforms.

• The partnership is part of a larger $76 billion media rights deal that includes Amazon and Disney, ensuring that ESPN continues its collaboration with the NBA. This underscores the competitive landscape of sports broadcasting rights.

• This move comes amidst changes in the NBA's broadcasting arrangements, including the transition of the popular 'Inside the NBA' program to ESPN starting with the 2025-26 season. Despite these changes, the NBA remains committed to retaining key personalities like Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith.

• Fagan, who passed away in 2017, was well-known for his distinctive voice that captured the essence of NBA's golden era in the '90s. His involvement in the current NBA coverage aims to introduce his legendary voice to a new generation of fans, combining historical reverence with futuristic technology.

• The re-introduction of Fagan's voice is part of a nostalgic wave that NBC Sports hopes will resonate with long-time basketball fans, enhancing the viewing experience by recalling the memorable moments of past NBA seasons.