Turner Sports Announces Multi-Year Extension with Candace Parker & Return of Stan Van Gundy

Turner Sports has announced that Candace Parker has agreed to a multi-year extension which will see one of the most decorated basketball players of all-time continue to contribute as a studio analyst for NBA on TNT, NBA TV and the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship, while Stan Van Gundy will return as a season-long NBA on TNT game analyst.  

“Candace and Stan are two of the most highly-regarded analysts in the game of basketball, and we’re thrilled for them to continue to be a part of our dynamic commentator roster,” said Tara August, Senior Vice President of Talent Services & Special Projects, Turner Sports.   

“Candace brings a passionate player perspective to every telecast and marries it with a grace and style that keeps viewers entertained and engaged at every turn,” continued August. “We missed Stan’s irreverent coaching voice and are honored to have him back to educate fans on Xs and Os and bring them a bit closer to the game.”   

Recently named to the WNBA’s W25 list of greatest and most influential players, Parker has been an integral part of TNT’s NBA coverage, primarily as a studio analyst for the network’s NBA on TNT Tuesday Night franchise. She also served as an executive producer for a “Women in Sports” episode of The Arena earlier this year.  

A two-time WNBA MVP and current member of the Chicago Sky, Parker was selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2008, following a championship career at the University of Tennessee, where she led the Lady Vols to consecutive NCAA Championships in 2007 and 2008. During the 2008-09 WNBA season, she became the first player to earn WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season. 

In 2016, Parker led the Sparks to a WNBA Championship, in which she was named WNBA Finals MVP. She was named WNBA All-Star Game MVP in 2013, along with being elected to six All-WNBA teams and six All-Star teams. Parker also led Team USA Women’s Basketball to back-to-back Olympic gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Games.  

A 13-year NBA head coaching veteran, Van Gundy led the Orlando Magic to the 2009 NBA Finals while amassing a 554-425 (.566) career record during stints with the Miami Heat (2003-06), Magic (2007-12), Detroit Pistons (2014-18) and New Orleans Pelicans (2020-21). Van Gundy previously worked for Turner Sports during the 2019-20 NBA season and will once again contribute as an NBA TV studio analyst along with his NBA on TNT role as part of his multi-year agreement.  

TNT will officially tip off the 2021-22 regular season with exclusive, blockbuster Opening Week doubleheaders to usher in the league’s 75th anniversary season on Tuesday, Oct. 19 – Brooklyn Nets at Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers – and Thursday, Oct. 21 – Dallas Mavericks at Atlanta Hawks and LA Clippers at Warriors.  

 
About Turner Sports
Turner Sports, a division of WarnerMedia, is an industry leader in the delivery of premium sports content across all platforms, widely recognized for its expansive partnerships with the NBA, Major League Baseball, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and the National Hockey League. The Turner Sports portfolio also includes Bleacher Report, the #1 digital destination for young sports fans driving engagement and video views across all social platforms and the B/R app, with premier brands including House of Highlights, B/R Football, B/R Gridiron, B/R Kicks, B/R Betting, B/R Walk-Off, and B/R Gaming. Turner Sports co-manages NBA Digital – comprised of NBA TV, NBA.com, NBA LEAGUE Pass, the NBA App and NBAGLEAGUE.com – as well as NCAA.com and the NCAA March Madness Live suite of products. Visit the Turner Sports online pressroom for additional press materials; follow Turner Sports on Twitter at @TurnerSportsPR.