Thirteen years after they won a national championship as Duke's star players, Shane Battier and Jay Williams will soon be reunited underneath the ESPN banner. Battier has been adamant about retiring following the 2014 NBA playoffs throughout the season. Naturally, Battier secured his short-term future by signing a contract to join ESPN as a college basketball analyst next season where Williams is currently employed as a studio analyst.
Battier always appeared to have political aspirations and was even offered an opportunity to begin his political career in his homestate of Michigan, but it appears he's eschewing that path for a basketball broadcasting job after he hangs up his Heat jersey. It's unclear what exactly his role will be, but one thing is clear. Along with Jay Bilas and Jay Williams, the Duke aura will be represented on ESPN's multitude of networks next season.
via The Big Lead:
It’s unclear yet if ESPN will use Battier, 35, as a game analyst, in the studio, or on the set of College Gameday, which is being revamped. Battier’s agent, Jim Ornstein, didn’t return a call today seeking comment. ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz said the network had “no comment.” The deal isn’t expected to be announced until after the Finals are complete. The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal has not been announced.
