Ohio’s Cleveland Cavaliers are just days away from tipping off the 2025-26 NBA season, and the excitement isn’t just about what’s happening on the court; it’s about who’s joining the action off the court, too. FanDuel Sports Network Ohio just dropped its broadcast lineup, and let’s just say it’s a beautiful mix of nostalgia and new energy. One name to watch, however, Iman Shumpert.
The Cavs are expected to be one of the league’s national media darlings this year, but make no mistake, Cleveland fans will still be watching their team locally. Seventy of the Cavaliers’ 82 regular-season games will air on FanDuel Sports Network Ohio. John Michael returns handling play-by-play duties as always, and Cavs and NBA legend Brad Daugherty will take over as the team’s lead analyst. Serena Winters will be courtside, covering the action as the team’s sideline reporter. But the real headline? An Ohio 2016 NBA champion is back in the building.
FanDuel Sports Network has tapped the former Cavaliers guard and NBA champion to appear on select pregame and postgame shows this season. That means Cavs fans will once again hear the voice of one of the key players who helped bring Cleveland its first NBA title in franchise history. And honestly… this just feels right.
Iman Shumpert is back Ohio!
For some fans, hearing the name “Iman Shumpert” instantly transports you back to 2016. The Cavs had just acquired him and J.R. Smith from the New York Knicks the previous year, and after fighting through injury, Shumpert returned in time to help the Cavaliers make history. Cleveland took down the 73-9 Golden State Warriors in the greatest Finals comeback ever. And while LeBron and Kyrie dominated the headlines, Shumpert’s defensive impact was undeniable.
Known for his defensive prowess, Shumpert was a key contributor to Tyronn Lue’s group upon arriving in Cleveland,” the source reminds us. He stayed in Cleveland from 2015 to 2018 before finishing his career with the Kings, Rockets, and Nets. Now he’s back, just in a different role.
Before and after each Cavs home game, FanDuel Sports Network Ohio will feature pregame and postgame shows hosted by Cayleigh Griffin and Austin Carr. For road games, Winters will take over hosting duties. Shumpert will join select episodes to provide analysis, storytelling, and (let’s be real) plenty of personality. If you’ve seen him on podcasts like “ALL THE SMOKE” or Carmelo Anthony’s “7 PM in Brooklyn,” you already know, Shumpert is one of the most entertaining storytellers in the NBA family.
Long Time No See
Just a few weeks ago, he made headlines in Cavs Nation when he broke down how the team’s dysfunction actually helped them win the 2016 title. That’s the kind of behind-the-scenes energy fans are dying to hear more of. And now they’ll get it regularly.
Cleveland fans love it when former players stick around, and FanDuel clearly gets that. Last season, the studio crew often included fan favorite Daniel “Booby” Gibson. Even though Gibson won’t be on the pre-/postgame show this year as much, he isn’t going anywhere. He’ll still provide Cavs coverage through his TV show “Full Court Cleveland” on the BIGPLAY Sports Network, alongside Rafa Hernandez-Brito and longtime NBA reporter Sam Amico. It’s like the 2007 and 2016 Cavs timelines collided on television, and we’re here for it.
This move also makes a ton of sense when you look at Shumpert’s post-NBA career. He’s done music. He’s done TV. He literally became the first NBA player in history to win “Dancing with the Stars.” He’s a natural performer. He’s charismatic. He’s funny. He’s unfiltered. Translation? He was made for television. However, following a messy divorce, some fans see this as a money grab. “He needs the money,” wrote one via X.
What Can Iman Bring to the Table?
And let’s not forget: he knows the modern NBA. He’s played with stars in Cleveland, Houston, Sacramento, and Brooklyn. He understands locker room dynamics. He understands coaching strategy. He understands what fans want to know, but broadcasters rarely say.
The Cavs are entering a season full of expectations. They’ve retooled the roster, added star power, and are ready to make another deep playoff run. Who better to break it all down than someone who’s been part of the franchise’s greatest moment?
“Shumpert’s addition to the broadcast will provide fans with another blast from the past,” the source says, and that’s exactly what this is. It’s nostalgia. It’s insight. Its personality. It’s everything Cavaliers fans love. The 2016 Finals might be in the history books, but now fans get to relive those vibes—one pregame show at a time. Cleveland loves its champions. And now, one of them is back on the mic.
