The Inside Story: Life as an NBA sideline reporter

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For most Australian basketball fans, the role of a full-time NBA television journalist could only be considered a dream. Yet for those working in basketball journalism in the NBA like Andrew Lopez, this dream is his daily reality.

The transition from traditional journalism to team-side reporting represents a fascinating career path that offers unique insights into the game we love. Former newspaper writer and ESPN contributor turned NBA sideline reporter for the New Orleans Pelicans, Lopez, shared his journey and what the job actually entails.

From Outside Looking In to Inside Access

Transitioning from ESPN to serving as a team-side reporter was not merely a change of employer but a complete shift in how he sees the game.

Lopez admits, “it’s a lot different... there are still some things you see with your journalism eye, but now I can take it and use it in different ways".

That shift opens doors most journalists never see: observing full practices, beyond the final media-open minutes, travelling with the team, staying in the same hotels, and developing more meaningful connections with players.

He recalls how quickly those relationships evolved.

“It was immediately how many of these guys were like, ‘oh, you’re on our side now, great, we can still talk... maybe something we wouldn’t talk about before'".

As a sideline reporter, Lopez draws on his journalistic instincts, but now he can amplify them with the benefit of insider access, translating team dynamics, practice interactions, and unguarded moments into stories the fans might normally never get to see.

The Day-to-Day Reality

Life on the sidelines however isn’t all glamour.

Lopez’s average day involves a wide range of journalistic tasks: reporting real-time injury updates during games, crafting feature stories on individual players, conducting interviews during practice, contributing to team podcasts, and even feeding content to broadcast partners with behind-the-scenes context.

In the Pelicans’ broadcast booth, Lopez complements play-by-play announcer Joel Myers and colour analyst Antonio Daniels, one of the more lauded broadcast duos in the NBA.

Yet the schedule is relentless, and managing deadlines across time zones is challenging.

“This morning we’re trying to time it out. It’s 15 hours from New Orleans right now, so we’re trying to tape a podcast, and I’m getting up at 8 so they can tape it at 5 before they leave the office,” he explains, capturing the rearranging of time zones and studio windows required when on the other side of the world.

Witnessing Basketball History Up Close

Perhaps the most extraordinary aspect of his career so far has been the ability to cover two of game’s biggest names up close from day one.

"I was there at the beginning of Zion, which has been incredible," he reflects.

"I was there for his first game... that was one of the most amazing experiences that I've ever witnessed."

After covering Williamson for five years, he spent a season in San Antonio covering Victor Wembanyama before returning to New Orleans.

"Covering Vic for that one year, absolutely incredible. He is absolutely one of one," he says of the French phenom.

"Being at the ground floor for two of the more promising young talents in the league has been incredible."

The Perks Beyond Basketball

While the core of the job remains basketball, the lifestyle perks are important too.

The luxury of team travel stands in stark contrast to independent media arrangements.

"You forget how nice some of these things are," he laughs.

"It's even sometimes weirder when you go back to flying by yourself and you're like, 'oh, I got to go to the airport again... I didn't have to show up 20 minutes before my plane leaves.'"

When asked about his favourite part of the job, his answer captures the essence of why basketball journalism remains a dream career for many fans.

"I get paid to watch basketball, man. Like, there's nothing better than that to me. The flights are great. The hotels are amazing. But at the end of the day, the fact that I can provide for my family by watching a game, it's amazing."