NBA Dribbles into Alternate Telecasts with "Courtside Crawsover"
The NBA is taking a page from the NFL’s playbook and venturing further into the realm of alternate telecasts, aiming to capture new audiences and enhance the viewing experience. Following in the footsteps of the widely popular "ManningCast," the league is launching a new offering titled "Courtside Crawsover," set to debut this Thursday night during the Minnesota Timberwolves-Los Angeles Lakers game.
This innovative broadcast will be hosted by Jamal Crawford, a three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year, and Dexter Fowler, a former Major League Baseball player. The telecast will be exclusively available on NBA League Pass and will feature a rotating cast of guests spanning the worlds of sports and pop culture. For the inaugural show, viewers can expect appearances from six-time NBA All-Star Blake Griffin and rapper Wale, setting the stage for a unique blend of basketball analysis, lifestyle commentary, and cultural insights.
The comparison to ESPN’s “ManningCast,” featuring former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, is unavoidable. The Manning brothers have found considerable success by offering a more relaxed, conversational, and often humorous alternative to traditional game broadcasts. While Crawford acknowledges the "ManningCast" as the "gold standard" in alternate telecasts, Fowler insists that "Courtside Crawsover" will carve out its own identity and offer a distinct experience.
The emphasis of the "Courtside Crawsover" will be on lifestyle and pop culture elements, moving beyond pure basketball analysis. “I thought this could give a different twist, just to be with somebody you’re really cool with and almost make it like we’re watching the game with the consumer and the fan,” Crawford told USA TODAY Sports. He envisions a viewing experience that replicates the atmosphere of watching a game with friends, comparing it to sitting at a barbershop and engaging in wide-ranging conversations. While the game itself will undoubtedly be a central topic, the hosts and guests will delve into various aspects of sports, music, fashion, and lifestyle.
Crawford emphasizes that the show will adopt a less scripted approach compared to other alternate telecasts, prioritizing a natural flow and organic conversation. This approach promises a more authentic and relatable experience for viewers, allowing the hosts and guests to explore diverse topics as they arise.
Fowler echoes Crawford’s sentiment, emphasizing the importance of fun and entertainment. “We want to have fun with it,” Fowler explained to USA TODAY Sports. “It’s more about lifestyle and everything under the sun; that’s why we’re calling it the Crawsover. Having people come on and get them out of their comfort zone. It’s going to be lighthearted and it’s going to be fun, but you’re still going to learn.” The goal is to create an engaging atmosphere where viewers not only gain insights into the game but also learn something new about the personalities and perspectives of the hosts and guests.
The launch of "Courtside Crawsover" comes at a time when the NBA is actively seeking to expand its reach and engage new audiences. The league has experienced a slight decline in television viewership this season, according to Nielsen ratings. Therefore, innovative approaches like alternate telecasts are viewed as crucial tools to attract a wider audience.
The NBA has already been experimenting with other alternative broadcast formats, including "HooperVision," a basketball-centric offering that Crawford has previously co-hosted alongside Quentin Richardson. The league is also set to launch "CoachCast," a strategy-oriented broadcast featuring former NBA coaches and assistants Derek Fisher, Phil Handy, and Adrian Griffin.
“Alternate telecasts have been a core part of our efforts to elevate the live game viewing experience for fans on NBA League Pass for years,” stated Sara Zuckert, the NBA’s head of Next Gen Telecast, in an email to USA TODAY Sports. The league sees these alternative formats as a way to cater to diverse preferences and provide more engaging viewing options for its fans.
Despite facing criticism regarding the perceived overuse of three-point shooting in the modern game, NBA commissioner Adam Silver has defended the league’s popularity, arguing that traditional television ratings do not fully capture the extent of fan engagement. Silver points to the recently signed 11-year, $76 billion media rights deal, the league’s extensive social media presence, and strong in-person attendance figures as indicators of its continued success.
“From that standpoint, record popularity,” Silver asserted during his annual press conference at the All-Star Game. “I don’t even know what you could even compare to us at this time, where we’re looking at a social media community that is estimated to be around two-and-a-half-billion people engaging in some way with our league and our players. And then there’s new platforms like podcasts, which are becoming increasingly popular." Silver recognizes the importance of adapting to the evolving media landscape and finding new ways to connect with fans across various platforms.
Crawford, who has served as an analyst for TNT’s NBA coverage, is also slated to become the lead analyst for NBC’s coverage of the league when the new media rights deal takes effect in October 2025. His pairing with Fowler, a former MLB outfielder with one All-Star appearance, might initially seem unconventional, but Crawford insists that the decision was intentional.
“Dex loves basketball, so for me it was like, why not Dexter Fowler?” Crawford explained. “Because if I get another basketball guy, it’s like, ‘OK, that’s his friend, they’re basketball guys on camera talking about basketball.’ But (Fowler) may give some insight or different perspective about how they prepare or how they train…I thought he would make it so it’s not too much basketball. He has a great sense of humor, he knows when to laugh. He may say something that he sees in a simple way that makes sense to me and everybody else, because a lot of people could be watching the game for one of the first times, or learning the game.”
Fowler himself emphasizes the value of bringing a different perspective to the broadcast. “It’s just thinking outside the box. I think of stuff that the regular fan probably thinks about,” Fowler added.
Despite his baseball background, Fowler has a genuine passion for basketball. He played basketball in high school and even received an offer to play at Harvard. He has also gained experience as a sports commentator, appearing on Marquee Sports Network’s Chicago Cubs coverage and contributing to MLB Network and Turner’s baseball coverage. It was through Turner that Fowler connected with Crawford, who ultimately approached him with the idea for "Courtside Crawsover."
In preparation for the launch, Crawford and Fowler have been conducting rehearsals and mock performances to develop their chemistry, timing, and overall flow. They recognize the importance of establishing a comfortable rapport and ensuring a seamless transition between topics.
“I think, for us, the conversations are the star,” Crawford emphasized. “It’s not me or Dex. I think the one thing that’s constant in any successful alt-cast is being organic, having a good time, and not keeping it strictly about whatever you’re watching. Taking the audience on a ride and journey.”
The Timberwolves-Lakers game is scheduled to tip off Thursday at 10:30 p.m. ET. There will be no traditional pregame or postgame coverage associated with the "Courtside Crawsover" stream. League Pass subscribers can tune in directly to the alternate telecast to experience this new offering.
Following the debut, "Courtside Crawsover" is slated to appear on select games throughout the remainder of the regular season, including the March 21 matchup between the Houston Rockets and Miami Heat and the April 4 game featuring the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs. The success of these initial broadcasts will likely determine the future of the format and its potential expansion to additional games and seasons. The NBA is betting that the combination of Crawford’s basketball expertise, Fowler’s unique perspective, and a focus on lifestyle and pop culture will resonate with viewers and contribute to a more engaging and entertaining viewing experience.
