The beloved alternate Final Four broadcast hosted by legends Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi is ending, ushering in a new era for ESPN's coverage.
For six years, ESPN’s alternate broadcast of the Women’s Final Four had a distinct identity. That will change in 2026.
At a media event previewing this year’s tournament in Phoenix, ESPN senior vice president Meg Aronowitz confirmed that Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi will not return to host their signature altcast. The network plans to introduce a new format in its place.
“We are reimagining what we call our alternate telecast,” Aronowitz said. “It has been Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi for the last six years, and we are grateful for them and our time with us. But we are going to reimagine and rethink how we bring the viewer that alternate telecast.”
The decision closes a chapter that began in 2019, when ESPN first paired the longtime friends and former UConn teammates for a relaxed, conversational alternative to the traditional game call.
However, their chemistry, built through college championships, Olympic gold medals, and WNBA battles, translated naturally on air.
Over time, the show became part of the Final Four viewing experience. During the 2024 national championship game between Iowa and South Carolina, the altcast drew 1.4 million viewers, a notable number for a secondary broadcast.
The program consistently blended analysis with candid commentary, often featuring high-profile guests and unscripted moments that resonated with a younger audience.
Both players have since transitioned away from full-time playing careers. Bird retired in 2022 and has taken on roles in media and with USA Basketball, in addition to holding an ownership stake in the Seattle Storm.
Taurasi has largely stepped back from public appearances outside of a recent documentary release.
ESPN has not yet detailed who will replace them or what the new alternate broadcast will look like for the Final Four and national championship games on April 2 and 5. Aronowitz indicated further announcements are expected soon.
For the network, the move signals a reset rather than a retreat from alternative programming. For viewers, it marks the end of a pairing that helped redefine how women’s college basketball could be presented on a major stage.