Amazon Prime Video is set to hire Taylor Rooks as the lead host for its NBA pregame, halftime, and postgame shows starting next season, according to Richard Deitsch of The Athletic. Rooks, currently a sideline reporter for TNT’s NBA coverage, already contributes to Prime Video, featuring in its Thursday Night Football broadcasts.
Ian Eagle is expected to serve as the lead play-by-play announcer. Eagle, who currently calls Brooklyn Nets games locally and works on NBA broadcasts for TNT Sports, is also known for his roles in NFL coverage and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on CBS Sports, as well as NFL radio broadcasts for Westwood One.
Additionally, former Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitzki has been linked to Amazon as a potential basketball analyst. Deitsch’s report also suggests that Kevin Harlan is a candidate Amazon may pursue for play-by-play commentary.
Amazon’s entry into the NBA media landscape joins ESPN and NBC, with the streaming service securing a contract to broadcast 60 games per season. Prime Video’s coverage will feature Thursday night NBA games after the NFL season concludes, as well as Friday night broadcasts throughout the season.
The deal reportedly costs Amazon $1.93 billion annually and includes global distribution rights for the NBA. This expanded package features games in territories such as Mexico, Brazil, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. In Canada, coverage will begin with the 2026-27 season. The package guarantees at least 20 additional prime-time regular-season games annually, a Conference Finals series each year, and the NBA Finals in six of the 11 years.
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