
via Imago
Image Credit: IMAGN

via Imago
Image Credit: IMAGN
TNT Sports is straight-up bringing the heat for basketball fans! With Unrivaled kicking off its first-ever game in Miami this January 2025, the excitement is off the charts for players and teams alike. As official broadcasting partner with the league, TNT is putting a spotlight on the sideline reporters who are low-key the MVPs of the show. Aren’t these reporters all about bringing the real-time action and behind-the-scenes energy straight to the fans, keeping the hype alive, and adding that personal touch to the game?
Another major vibe in TNT and Unrivaled’s collab is how they mix next-level broadcasting with insane basketball action, giving fans an experience that’s just as lit off the court as it is on. Their partnership brings fans closer to the game with exclusive coverage and deets, making every moment feel like you’re living the action.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Unrivaled Sideline Reporters: Who Are They and What Do They Do?
Familiar faces will take the reporting and interviews forward from the sidelines, as Taylor Rooks, Stephanie Ready, Allie LaForce, and Ros Gold-Onwude will do what is needed. They’re the ones who will be bringing us live updates from the court and locker room, keeping us in the loop with player reactions, injury reports, and behind-the-scenes action. They’re Unrivaled’s heartbeat, offering real-time insights we won’t get anywhere else!
In case you needed any more reasons to tune in to Unrivaled games this season… just look at who we have lined up as our TNT Sports broadcast team 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Z1xEiootfA
— Unrivaled Basketball (@Unrivaledwbb) January 7, 2025
Allie LaForce, a total pro with mad experience, Allie’s out here hooking fans up with exclusive player interviews and live updates straight from the sidelines. Her presence brings you closer to the action than ever, giving you all the inside scoop in real time. LaForce crushed it as the lead sideline reporter for NBA on TNT, covering huge events like the NBA Playoffs and March Madness.
She worked her way up, starting with sideline reporting for the SEC on CBS, where she interviewed legends like Peyton Manning. Allie’s also a founder of Help Cure HD with her husband, MLB pitcher Joe Smith. She’s been supported by her NBA fam, especially during her pregnancy. Total #BossMoves.
TNT’s Allie LaForce was destined for sports broadcasting. With former college athlete parents, a mom who ran a talent agency, and an aunt coaching varsity basketball, sports TV was practically in her DNA.
Stephanie Ready, with her sharp eye for the details and a solid connection with the players, Stephanie’s the go-to sideline reporter who’s always bringing extra insight and energy to the game. Whether chatting with players or dropping knowledge during timeouts, she’s covered you with all the key deets.

via Imago
Dec 18, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Fox Sports Carolinas reporter Stephanie Ready attends the NBA game between the Charlotte Bobcats and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images
Stephanie Ready has paved the way in sports journalism and coaching, earning recognition for her groundbreaking roles. Born in 1975 in Takoma Park, Maryland, she shined as a student-athlete at Coppin State University, excelling in basketball and volleyball before graduating cum laude in psychology.
She made history as one of the youngest Division I volleyball coaches and later broke barriers by coaching men’s basketball at Coppin State, becoming the first woman to recruit off-campus. Her historic move to the NBA Development League as the first female assistant coach for a men’s pro team with the Greenville Groove cemented her legacy as a pioneer in coaching.
Ready transitioned seamlessly into broadcasting, starting in 2004 as a sideline reporter for the Charlotte Bobcats. Over the years, she became the first full-time female NBA game analyst and joined Turner Sports in 2018, contributing to NBA TV and NBA on TNT.
Currently hosting The Warm Up and working as a TNT reporter, she’s a major voice in the basketball world. A proud mother of two, Ready balances her family life with a thriving career, inspiring countless fans and professionals alike with her passion for breaking barriers in sports.
Taylor Rooks is about to make a big splash as the lead host for Amazon’s NBA coverage, teaming up with NBA legends Dirk Nowitzki and Blake Griffin to bring the heat. The announcement comes as Amazon prepares for its debut streaming of live NBA games starting in the 2025-26 season, part of an 11-year deal to showcase 66 regular-season games annually. Sharing her excitement on Instagram, Rooks called the opportunity a dream come true, expressing pride in hosting a show designed to be engaging, entertaining, and fan-focused.
Reflecting on her journey, Rooks highlighted her rise from hustling as a student at the University of Illinois to roles at the Big Ten Network, SNY, Bleacher Report, and TNT. With over a decade of hard work and a commitment to excellence, she credits her career growth to her dedication and the people who believed in her.
Now partnering with Amazon, Rooks looks forward to building something fresh and impactful with her talented team, emphasizing her love for the game and her excitement to start this new chapter.
Ros Gold-Onwude, a former college basketball star, is making waves in sports broadcasting. After a standout career at Stanford, where she reached the Final Four three times and earned Pac-10 defensive player of the year honors, Gold-Onwude transitioned to broadcasting. She worked as a sideline reporter for the Golden State Warriors during their championship runs, covering the NBA on NBC Sports Bay Area, and also served as an analyst for the WNBA’s New York Liberty.
Gold-Onwude joined Turner Sports in 2017 before moving to ESPN in 2020, where she has quickly become a prominent NBA and WNBA analyst and reporter.
In addition to her career milestones, Gold-Onwude made headlines when rapper Drake brought her as his date to the 2017 NBA Awards, sparking a friendship grounded in their shared black and Jewish heritage.
Gold-Onwude now serves as a role model for young women, particularly women of color, and focuses on positively influencing sports media while hoping to inspire others to follow in her footsteps. She signed a multi-year extension with ESPN in 2022 and continues to rise.
Meanwhile, all of Unrivaled‘s sideline reporters have taken the task of showing off their new roles on social, sharing all the hype and behind-the-scenes vibes as the season is about to kick off. They’re taking to their feeds to celebrate the big move, giving fans an exclusive peek at their game-day moments and player hangouts. It’s all about keeping it real with the audience and spreading that game-day energy in real time!
The TNT Broadcasting Team: Key Figures Behind the Scenes
The TNT Broadcasting Team plays a crucial role in shaping the overall viewing experience, beyond just the sideline reporters. This subheading expands to focus on other important members who help elevate the broadcast.
Anchors are the foundation of the broadcast, guiding fans through the whole vibe and giving context to what’s popping in the game. They set the mood for the whole broadcast, keeping everyone hooked and in the know. The league will see Ernie Johnson and Adam Lefkoe leading the way.
Play-by-play announcers and color commentators are the dynamic duo that bring the game to life. They’re the ones narrating the whole vibe, keeping fans in the loop with every move, and breaking down the key plays. Their commentary adds that extra layer to Unrivaled, making it more exciting and immersive for everyone.
Candace Parker and Renee Montgomery are set to lead a new wave of studio voices in sports broadcasting, bringing their expertise and dynamic personalities to the forefront.
From sideline reporters to analysts, the TNT broadcasting team plays a huge role in making Unrivaled a standout experience for fans. Their energy, insights, and behind-the-scenes access bring the game to life like never before. So, who are you most excited to hear from this season?
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT