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It was announced last week that longtime Charlotte Hornets sideline reporter and commentator would be leaving the team for another broadcasting gig. Stephanie Ready announced the next step of her career on Twitter earlier today.
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
Ready had been a part of Charlotte basketball broadcasts since the team first returned under the Bobcats moniker in 2004. She spent most of her time with the organization as a sideline reporter and fill in TV analyst. She was promoted to full time analyst as part of a three person crew with Eric Collins and Dell Curry for the 2015-16 season, the first woman to hold such a role for an NBA team.
Ready now moves to TNT’s virtual reality coverage full time. She handled the gig on a part time basis last year during the NBA playoffs.
TNT’s VR coverage is a new foray into sports media. Multiple cameras are set up throughout the arena, giving users their choice of how they want to immerse themselves in the game. You can read one writer’s experience with the new technology here, and you can find the schedule for the TNT’s upcoming VR games here.
I think I speak for almost all Hornets fans in wishing Stephanie the best of luck with her new opportunity. Her contributions to Hornets broadcasts were innumerable, and she will be missed. Hopefully she won’t be shy about making cameos during Hornets broadcasts from time to time in the future like our old pal Steve Martin. And maybe the league will throw everyone a bone and let Steph cover a Hornets game or two on the new platform.