Vanessa Richardson to replace Cayleigh Griffin as Rockets’ courtside reporter

Starting with the upcoming 2022-23 NBA season, Houston sports media personality Vanessa Richardson will replace the outgoing Cayleigh Griffin as courtside reporter for Rockets television broadcasts on regional partner AT&T SportsNet Southwest.

Richardson will work the game broadcasts alongside play-by-play broadcaster Craig Ackerman and analyst Ryan Hollins.

In an announcement to her social media pages, Richardson wrote:

Elated to be the new Houston Rockets sideline reporter!

I can’t wait to travel the country and share the stories of this dynamic team during 80+ games on AT&T SportsNet Southwest. I’ll continue to fill-in as a host/reporter for Astros broadcasts, as well.

Born and raised in Indiana, basketball is naturally my first love. And I LOVE Houston, my adopted home of three years. Let’s get to work.

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— Vanessa Richardson (@SportsVanessa) September 23, 2022

Richardson is currently a pregame and postgame host for Houston Astros baseball broadcasts on AT&T SportsNet. She also serves as a sports-talk host and NFL reporter for Houston’s ESPN Radio affiliate, making her one of the only women driving a daily sports-talk show in a major U.S. media market. Prior to that, she spent two years as a sports anchor and reporter at KPRC, Houston’s NBC affiliate.

Richardson has prior NBA experience, as well, having served as the in-arena host for the Indiana Pacers during her time at the University of Indianapolis.

AT&T SportsNet Southwest’s game broadcasts for the new NBA season begin with the Rockets’ preseason opener on Sunday, Oct. 2, which should mark Richardson’s first game with the team.