After over a decade covering the Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets, Stephanie Ready is moving on. Ready, previously an assistant coach at the NCAA level and a head coach at the NBDL level (now the G-League), started as a Bobcats’ sideline reporter in 2004-05 (after previous color analysis for radio on Furman basketball and TV work for ESPN and NBA TV), and had been with the team since, moving to full-time analyst in 2015 (the first woman in that role at the NBA level) and then being bumped back to the sideline role in 2017 (amidst some controversy).
Earlier this week, Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer reported that Ready was leaving for another broadcasting job, with Saturday night’s Hornets’ home game against the Lakers her final assignment for Fox Sports Southwest.
Update: Ready has now announced she’s heading to Turner Sports, where she’ll work on their NBA VR telecasts this season:
Good morning! I am thrilled to announce that I will be joining The Turner Sports Family this month! I’ll be partnered w/ @ripcityhamilton for the rest of the @nba season including playoffs, broadcasting @NBAonTNT VR! Join in on the fun!🏀😍 https://t.co/Xskyg2ZtdQ
— Stephanie Ready (@StephanieReady) December 17, 2018
And Saturday’s broadcast saw Ready deliver some touching farewells:
Grab some tissues: @StephanieReady's emotional farewell to our @Hornets broadcast is well worth your time. pic.twitter.com/3pH8RTqhrr
— Bally Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnBally) December 15, 2018
For the last time @StephanieReady gives you her personal 🔑🔑🔑 to the game!#BuzzCity | #Hornets30 pic.twitter.com/RMrTRsb8Tc
— Bally Sports: Hornets (@HornetsOnBally) December 16, 2018
It’s good to hear that Ready is staying in the NBA world, as she certainly managed to make quite an impact there in her various roles for the Bobcats and Hornets. We’ll see how she does with Turner.
