When Duke women's basketball head coach Kara Lawson steps into the Amazon Prime Video broadcast booth this WNBA season, she's not just calling games—she's scouting for gold.
Lawson, who also serves as head coach of the U.S. women's national team, has signed on as a WNBA game analyst for Amazon Prime Video. And while her broadcasting credentials are impeccable—16 years of experience including stints at ESPN and as lead analyst for the NBA's Washington Wizards—this move is about much more than commentary.
"I wanted to make sure that I was present at WNBA games this summer," Lawson told Front Office Sports. The reason? The FIBA Women's World Cup is set for September 4-13, 2026, in Berlin, Germany, with the WNBA scheduling a break from August 31 to September 16 to accommodate the tournament.
Lawson's strategy is both practical and clever. She had already planned to attend WNBA games to evaluate talent for Team USA. By adding broadcasting duties, she's essentially pulling double duty—staying close to the players while leveraging her seasoned media skills. Amazon Prime Video will stream 31 WNBA games this season, ensuring every team gets at least one national showcase.
"I'm not with them for a big chunk of the year, 4-5 months before the competition," Lawson explained. "I think it's really important that you're present, that they see me in person watching them play as we're trying to evaluate who's in the best form as Sue [Bird] decides who's going to be on the team." (Bird was named the first women's national basketball team managing director last May.)
Lawson isn't blazing a new trail here. She joins a distinguished line of Team USA leaders who've balanced coaching with broadcasting. Grant Hill, USA Basketball's men's national team managing director, now works as an NBA analyst for NBC. Jeff Van Gundy coached the U.S. men's team from 2017 to 2019 while serving as ESPN's lead NBA game analyst.
And Lawson's presence at WNBA games will also strengthen her bond with her coaching staff, which includes several current WNBA head coaches: Natalie Nakase (Golden State Valkyries), Nate Thibetts (Phoenix Mercury), Stephanie White (Indiana Fever), and Jose Fernandez (Dallas Wings). It's a masterclass in multitasking—and a reminder that in elite sports, every opportunity is a chance to get closer to the ultimate prize.