NBA to feature first female broadcaster since 1979

Ann Meyers Drysdale will become the NBA's first female broadcaster since 1979. (Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

The NBA will feature a female in the broadcast booth next season for the first time since 1979, according to Kevin Bonneville of The Examiner.

The Phoenix Suns have hired Ann Meyers Drysdale to broadcast as many as 20 regular season games for the team.

But this won't be her foray into broadcasting for a professional game. In fact, Drysdale was the last female to broadcast from the booth when she worked for the Indiana Pacers 33 years ago. That same year, Indiana native Larry Bird lost to Magic Johnson in the NCAA national title game.

She was let go after six games and went on to play for the Women's Professional Basketball League. Drysdale has also called the Olympics and worked with the Phoenix Mercury.