Early Monday morning, a call came in for Allie Clifton, setting the stage for a historic moment in sports broadcasting. Spectrum SportsNet was on the line, asking if she would be interested in stepping in for Lakers color analyst Stu Lantz in a little over two days. Clifton, a seasoned television journalist with years of experience in the broadcast booth, accepted the offer without hesitation and immediately plunged into preparations for the task ahead.
Having served as a co-host for Spectrum SportsNet's in-studio programming since 2018, Clifton is no stranger to the demands of live sports coverage. "I believe in hard work, so when I got the call, my mind certainly went into that mode," she told The Times. This new assignment, while different from her usual studio work, was not entirely foreign to her. It was a challenge she was ready to embrace head-on.
When Clifton seated herself next to play-by-play announcer Bill Macdonald for the Lakers' game against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night, she knew she was about to make history. Indeed, Clifton became the first woman to call a game on a Lakers broadcast, an event that coincided with a 138-122 win for the team on the road. Reflecting on the significant moment, she acknowledged the whirlwind of emotions she experienced, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to break barriers in the field.
The morning after the game, Clifton experienced a rush of emotion as she considered the impact of her achievement. "I got texts from different people last night saying that there’s little girls that now think they can do this," she shared. This, for her, was the greatest reward - the chance to inspire young girls and show them that they too can make their mark in sports broadcasting.
Allie's professionalism and basketball expertise did not go unnoticed. "We appreciate her stepping into the role seamlessly and sharing her insights on the Lakers broadcast that fans love," stated Tim Harris, Lakers president of business operations. In fact, the team indicated they would welcome the opportunity to have Allie fill in again if needed.
Among the many congratulatory messages, a shoutout from LeBron James on X (formerly Twitter) stood out. Clifton, who had covered James during his second stint with the Cavaliers, was visibly moved by the supportive tweet from the NBA superstar.
In conclusion, Allie Clifton's historic achievement serves not only as a testament to her hard work and dedication but also as an inspiration for future generations of aspiring female sports broadcasters.
