Magic Johnson leaves ESPN NBA studio; Doris Burke joins

Jeff Zillgitt | USA TODAY Sports

Basketball Hall of Famer Magic Johnson said Thursday he is leaving his job as an NBA analyst for ESPN. Veteran broadcaster Doris Burke will join NBA Countdown in a different capacity, ESPN announced.

"I don't feel confident that I can continue to devote the time needed to thrive in my role," Johnson said in a news release.

Johnson, who is also part of the group that owns the Los Angeles Dodgers and runs his business empire, said in a statement that he loves ESPN but that his schedule and other commitments prevent him from continuing in his role, primarily on ESPN's NBA Countdown.

Johnson's agent, Lon Rosen, refuted a Deadspin report that said Johnson abruptly left the show because of colleague Bill Simmons' growing influence over the show and Michael Wilbon's diminished role in NBA coverage, which included Doug Collins replacing Wilbon on NBA Countdown.

"Magic and Bill Simmons got to be very close and continue to be close," Rosen told USA TODAY Sports. "Bill Simmons and Earvin Johnson are friends. Earvin's close to Bill. We called Bill before the release went out. Bill has been to parties at Earvin's house. He's been to Dodgers game with Bill. He likes Bill a lot."

In an e-mail to USA TODAY Sports, Simmons wrote, "I loved getting to know Magic these past 12 months and was saddened to hear about his decision. We genuinely liked working with one another. Last night Lon Rosen and I were already talking about other possible projects that Magic and I could do together down the road. He's my friend. And a GREAT guy."

Rosen said Johnson's involvement with the Dodgers is indeed requiring more of Johnson's time and energy.

"We appreciate Magic's contributions and wish him well in his future endeavors," said John Wildhack, ESPN executive vice president of production. "We are in the process of determining our NBA commentator roles for the upcoming season."

Burke will join NBA Countdown only on Wednesdays during the season, ESPN confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. Sports Illustrated reported Burke's new role first. She recently signed a multiyear contract extension with the network and will debut in the studio on Nov. 13.

This week, ESPN announced that Doug Collins will replace Michael Wilbon on NBA Countdown alongside Bill Simmons and Jalen Rose. Simmons replaced Jon Barry before last season.

Adding Burke is a change for the show, which previously avoided using a traditional studio host. Wilbon and Simmons, both writers rather than former players or coaches, held analyst roles rather than the host role Burke likely will take.

NBA Countdown has struggled for a format that suits ESPN executives in the past two years. Simmons resisted efforts to join the show two years, saying he was involved in too many other ESPN projects, including Grantland.com. But he joined last year along with Jalen Rose, forcing Jon Barry and Chris Broussard off the show.

Johnson also thanked a slew of ESPN workers in his statement.

"I will always feel a strong connection to the ESPN family and I enjoyed working with them very much," Johnson said. "I'd like to thank John Skipper, John Wildhack, Mark Gross, Kim Belton, Amina Hussein, Mark Summer, Adam Hertzog, Bob Rauscher, Stuart Scott, Mike Wilbon, Jon Barry, Jalen Rose, Bill Simmons, Chris Broussard and the many others at ESPN for the wonderful opportunity to talk about the game I love. They are the best in the business."