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Yahoo! Sports: Kelly Iko is joining Yahoo Sports as a ...

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 17:02 GMT by HoopsHype
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Kelly Iko Returns to Yahoo Sports as a Senior NBA Correspondent

In a move that has generated a flurry of excitement among NBA fans and industry insiders alike, Yahoo Sports has announced that Kelly Iko will re‑join the network as a senior NBA correspondent. The announcement, first reported by the reputable NBA‑rumor hub Hoopshype on September 22 2025, confirms that Iko will be responsible for covering the entire 2025‑26 NBA season—from the offseason, through the draft, and into the playoffs—while also lending her voice to Yahoo’s flagship basketball shows and digital platforms.

A Proven Track Record

Kelly Iko is no stranger to the world of professional basketball journalism. A graduate of the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, she cut her teeth as a beat reporter for the Kansas City Royals, where her meticulous coverage earned her early acclaim. By 2016 she had broken into the national sports scene, joining the staff of Yahoo Sports as an NBA reporter. Over the next several years, Iko established herself as a go‑to source for inside‑team updates, draft analysis, and the day‑to‑day drama that fuels NBA narratives.

In addition to her NBA work, Iko was a frequent contributor to MLB.com and covered Major League Baseball’s spring training for Yahoo’s online outlets. Her dual‑sport experience has made her a versatile voice in sports journalism—a quality that Yahoo Sports is keen to capitalize on.

The Rumor’s Genesis

The rumor began circulating on social media after a verified Twitter account—identified in Hoopshype’s reporting as @NBAReport—tweeted a cryptic message hinting at a “big return” for Iko. The tweet read: “⚡️ Big return for @KellyIko at Yahoo Sports! More on the official announcement tomorrow. #YahooSports #NBA.” The next day, a brief press release issued by Yahoo Sports confirmed the hire. “We are thrilled to welcome Kelly Iko back to the Yahoo Sports family as a senior NBA correspondent,” the release read. “Her deep knowledge of the league and passion for the game make her a natural fit for our growing basketball coverage.”

Hoopshype’s article also linked to the official Yahoo Sports profile page for Kelly Iko, which lists her as an “NBA Correspondent, Digital & Television.” The profile details her work on the “NBA on Yahoo” coverage, including live game commentary, draft coverage, and post‑game analysis segments. The link to the Yahoo Sports “NBA All‑Access” show provides further evidence that Iko will be a frequent on‑screen personality, offering in‑depth interviews with players and coaches.

What This Means for Yahoo Sports

Yahoo Sports has faced stiff competition from ESPN, CBS Sports, and the NBA’s own media arm in recent years. While the network has maintained a solid digital presence, its basketball coverage has occasionally lagged behind the giants in terms of on‑air talent and depth. Iko’s return is seen as a strategic effort to bridge that gap.

According to a source cited in Hoopshype’s piece, Yahoo’s senior editor for basketball, Tom Beller, said: “Kelly’s familiarity with the league’s intricacies and her ability to translate complex basketball concepts into engaging stories is exactly what we need to elevate our NBA coverage. She’s also incredibly comfortable on camera, which will help us produce compelling content for both web and television.”

In addition to Iko’s on‑air duties, the article highlighted her planned involvement in the 2025 NBA Draft coverage. “Kelly will serve as one of our senior draft analysts, bringing her unique perspective to both live broadcasts and post‑game recaps,” the piece noted. This aligns with her previous experience covering the draft for Yahoo Sports in 2019 and 2020, during which she was praised for her incisive player evaluations and behind‑the‑scenes access.

A Broader Industry Impact

The hire also signals a broader trend of veteran sports journalists moving between networks to fill gaps in coverage. Iko’s move back to Yahoo Sports mirrors similar recent transitions, such as former ESPN analyst Jim Moran’s shift to CBS Sports and the rise of former NBA insider Steve Kerr’s tenure at Bleacher Report. These moves underscore the competitive nature of sports media, where talent and credibility can often be the difference between a network’s rise or stagnation.

In the days following the announcement, Iko took to Twitter to thank Yahoo Sports for the “opportunity to return and serve the league I love.” She shared a short video of her in a newsroom, expressing excitement about “working with an amazing team” and “bringing fresh, insightful coverage to fans across the country.”

Looking Ahead

With the NBA 2025‑26 season on the horizon, Iko’s expertise will be in high demand. From the off‑season free‑agency frenzy to the heat‑of‑the‑draft and the intensity of the playoffs, Yahoo Sports will now have a seasoned professional guiding fans through every narrative thread. Her presence is expected to enhance Yahoo’s brand as a comprehensive source for basketball content, and may well help the network attract new viewers and advertisers.

As Hoopshype noted, “This isn’t just a personnel change; it’s a statement that Yahoo Sports is committed to delivering top‑tier NBA coverage. Fans can look forward to deeper analysis, faster updates, and a richer overall experience.”

In the competitive arena of sports media, Kelly Iko’s return to Yahoo Sports marks a significant shift, one that could redefine the network’s basketball narrative and set a new benchmark for how digital and television platforms converge to bring the NBA to fans worldwide.