Vanessa Richardson leaves Rockets’ broadcast role for full-time ESPN position

NBA reporter Vanessa Richardson is leaving her post as courtside reporter with the Houston Rockets to take a national position with ESPN.

Richardson had previously worked with ESPN on a contract basis, and she's now turning that into a full-time role.

In Houston, Richardson was employed by Space City Home Network (SCHN) — the regional sports network owned in part by the Rockets — since the start of the 2022-23 season.

Richardson, who won multiple Lone Star Emmy awards for her coverage of the team, announced the news on her social media accounts. As part of an extended message, she wrote:

Serving as sideline reporter of the Rockets for the past four seasons did not just change my career, it changed my life. … A few years ago, I began working part-time at ESPN as a fill-in sports talk radio host. Each opportunity for growth has been a dream; from digital shows at the NBA Finals to reporting at summer league, the draft, and every event with this league I love so much. I'm grateful to continue to the journey at ESPN in an expanded role, and I'm ready to get to work. I've loved every second of the past four years. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of it.

Serving as sideline reporter of the Rockets for the past four seasons did not just change my career, it changed my life. …

A few years ago, I began working part-time at ESPN as a fill-in sports talk radio host. Each opportunity for growth has been a dream; from digital shows at the NBA Finals to reporting at summer league, the draft, and every event with this league I love so much. I'm grateful to continue to the journey at ESPN in an expanded role, and I'm ready to get to work.

I've loved every second of the past four years. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of it.

For the upcoming 2026-27 season, Richardson's SCHN replacement for televised game broadcasts has yet to be announced. Craig Ackerman and Ryan Hollins are returning to their usual roles of play-by-play broadcaster and lead analyst, respectively.

Houston's 2026 preseason slate concludes tonight, while the 2026-27 regular season opens next Wednesday, Oct. 21 .