Chiney Ogwumike has shined over the last few years as one of the most versatile faces at ESPN, whether it’s as a basketball analyst, television host, even on the radio. And she’s done it all while still while still being active in the WNBA as a member of the Los Angeles Sparks.
And after starring on a multitude of platforms, ESPN is signing Ogwumike to a new long-term contract that was revealed on Thursday. The deal is for four years and will see her continue to cover the NBA, WNBA, women’s college basketball, and make other appearances across the network’s various platforms.
Ogwumike was part of an acclaimed trio with Elle Duncan and Andraya Carter covering the NCAA women’s basketball tournament and has also been a host and analyst for ESPN’s NBA coverage.
Via The Athletic:
Chiney Ogwumike is the rare ESPN on-air talent with prominent assignments across both women’s basketball and the NBA — and those assignments are going to continue for the next four years.
ESPN will announce later today that Ogwumike has signed a multi-year extension to remain with the company. Her deal is for four years.
“I came into this environment as a young athlete and this might sound silly but I saw it as a place of opportunity, a place where I knew I could make an impact because my point of view was not really that available,” said Ogwumike, who joined ESPN in 2017 to co-anchor SportsCenter across Africa and as a part-time WNBA and NBA in-studio analyst, and one year later became one of the only full-time professional athletes to hold a full-time national sports media position. “It felt like family and it’s the home for the NBA and the NBA Finals, the WNBA, women’s college basketball and March Madness. To be where the main event is, and to have a part of shaping narratives, telling stories and advocating for players, to be able to show my joy for everything that comes from basketball which has transformed my life, I feel like I am of service in this space.”
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As part of her new deal, Ogwumike’s assignments will include studio analysis for the NBA, WNBA and women’s college basketball. She will be part of ESPN NBA Countdown, NBA Today, WNBA Countdown, NCAA Championship in The Studio, as well as Get Up, First Take and SportsCenter. She will also host NBA Today on select days.
Ogwumike also said that it’s likely her WNBA playing days have come to an end. She didn’t play this season while maintaining her role at ESPN. However, she will leave the door open to play for the Nigerian national team at the next Olympics if the possibility becomes available.
Chiney Ogwumike is just as comfortable breaking down X’s and O’s as she is hosting as she is sparring with the likes of Stephen A. Smith. And with her new contract she should be someone who could very easily be one of the faces of ESPN for a long time to come.
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