Ramona Shelburne has reached a new, multi-year agreement to remain at ESPN which will feature her across all of ESPN’s platforms, with an emphasis on the NBA, where she has established herself as one of the most respected reporters and long form narrative writers in the country.
Shelburne has been a regular contributor to the network’s NBA coverage on ESPN.com, ESPN the Magazine, ESPN Radio, and SportsCenter since joining ESPN in 2009.
Beginning in February, she will expand her role as an LA-based reporter and analyst onSportsCenter and be a regular contributor on ESPN’s The Jump—a new NBA daily show hosted by Rachel Nichols, which debuts on Feb. 18. Shelburne will also make appearances on shows across ESPN networks like Around the Horn, Pardon the Interruption, Outside the Lines, SportsNation, and NBA Tonight as well as write for espnW.
“I’ve had the unique experience of growing up at ESPN, so it’s incredibly humbling to be empowered to take on bigger and more impactful stories and roles going forward,” said Shelburne. “I can remember when there were just a dozen folks in the Los Angeles offices and a small TV operation in the studio next door. It’s really awesome to see how we’ve built things out in LA with strong, intelligent female voices like my friends Michelle Beadle, Jessica Mendoza and Rachel Nichols.”
Additionally, she will be pairing with SportsNation’s host Michelle Beadle for a new national radio show, Beadle & Shelburne, which will premiere Feb. 21, airing Noon – 2 p.m. ET from ESPN’s Los Angeles studios. Shelburne has been a regular radio host for ESPNLosAngeles 710 since 2010.
“There’s no one I’d rather spend my Sunday mornings with than Ramona,” said Beadle. “She’s a night owl. I’m a morning person. Together, words will be said out loud.”
“From her leadership on the Donald Sterling story through her recent moving profile of Ronda Rousey, Ramona’s stories have always been must reads,” said Marie Donoghue, ESPN Executive Vice President, Global Strategy and Original Content. “We are thrilled she will now take her storytelling across new platforms and shows.”
“This is happy news. Ramona is a force of nature — a tireless, adventurous, joyous storyteller,” said Rob King, ESPN Senior Vice President, SportsCenter and News. “Simply put, she makes us better.”
She has been recognized with multiple Pro Basketball Writers Association awards for column writing and breaking news.
Shelburne graduated from Stanford University in 2001 with a BA in American Studies and a Masters in Communication. She was a three-time Academic All American softball player from 1998-2001. Prior to ESPN, she spent seven years at the Los Angeles Daily News as a columnist and reporter from 2002-09.