'No Longer Unemployed!': Jeremy Lin Celebrates ESPN Move as NBA Champion Starts New Chapter

Jeremy Lin has joined ESPN's NBA coverage for the 2026–27 season, taking on game analysis and regular contributions to NBA Today.

ESPN announced the appointment on Thursday, 15 October, expanding the former NBA champion's role after appearances during its coverage of the 2026 NBA Finals and NBA Summer League. Lin celebrated the news with a message declaring: 'No longer unemployed!!'

Jeremy Lin Celebrates a New Chapter

Lin described the appointment as 'the start of a new chapter of life' in an Instagram message reproduced by Heavy.

'The start of my LinkedIn page lol,' he added, before thanking supporters and writing: 'Glory to God!'

The announcement gives him a broader role with ESPN following his earlier appearances, with responsibilities across live games and studio programming.

Lin was named among the additions to the network's commentator roster alongside fellow former champion Jason Kidd. Both will contribute to game coverage, although their principal studio assignments will be on different programmes.

What Lin Will Do on NBA Today

Malika Andrews will continue to host NBA Today, ESPN's weekday basketball programme, as it celebrates its fifth anniversary season during the 2026–27 campaign.

Lin joins a contributor group including former players Iman Shumpert, Danny Green, Kendrick Perkins and Chiney Ogwumike, alongside journalists and insiders covering the league.

Brian Windhorst, Tim MacMahon and Shams Charania are also among the programme's contributors, bringing reporting and analysis alongside the perspectives of former players.

Lin also joins a game-analysis roster featuring Richard Jefferson, Tim Legler, Doris Burke, Kidd and P.J. Carlesimo. ESPN's announcement does not specify how many games Lin will call.

His assignments will therefore extend beyond studio discussions to analysing the action during live broadcasts.

From Knicks Breakthrough to Broadcasting

Lin entered the NBA after going undrafted out of Harvard, spending his rookie season with the Golden State Warriors before his breakthrough with the New York Knicks in 2011–12.

He subsequently played for the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Charlotte Hornets, Brooklyn Nets, Atlanta Hawks and Toronto Raptors.

His NBA career spanned nine seasons and eight franchises, with his final league appearance coming in 2019. He continued playing overseas before announcing his retirement in August 2025.

Lin began contributing to ESPN before this appointment, including a guest stint on NBA Today and appearances during the network's 2026 Finals coverage. His new role extends that work across the coming season.

Jason Kidd Joins NBA Countdown

Kidd will contribute across game and studio coverage, with his principal announced studio assignment on the revised NBA Countdown panel.

Andrews will host the programme alongside Kidd, Perkins, Windhorst and Charania, while Kenny Smith will appear on selected editions during the season.

The panel will provide pre-game, half-time and post-game coverage across ESPN and ABC. Kidd will also analyse selected games as part of his responsibilities.

ESPN Retains Its Lead NBA Team

Mike Breen, Legler, Jefferson and reporter Lisa Salters return for their second season together as ESPN and ABC's lead NBA broadcast team, covering marquee regular-season fixtures.

They will also lead ABC's broadcasts through the NBA Playoffs and NBA Finals as ESPN begins its 25th consecutive season of NBA game coverage.

The wider studio schedule includes 25 regular-season appearances by Inside the NBA, hosted by Ernie Johnson with Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Smith.

Produced by TNT Sports in Atlanta, the programme will provide pre-game, half-time and post-game coverage around many of ESPN and ABC's marquee basketball broadcasts.