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Move over, UFL, the NBA Playoffs are on.
On Sunday, ABC interrupted its live broadcast of a United Football League (UFL) game between the Arlington Renegades and the D.C. Defenders to air the pregame show for Game 7 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals featuring the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The switch occurred just before the UFL game’s dramatic conclusion, leaving viewers without the live ending.
With less than two minutes left in the Arlington Renegades-D.C. Defenders UFL clash Sunday, ESPN punted the broadcast from ABC to ESPN2 to make way for their NBA pregame show, 20 minutes ahead of tipoff. pic.twitter.com/ZJYQZbPEo5
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 18, 2025Though, admittedly, many more people will care about the Western Conference semifinals, hence the change to begin with.
Deon Jackson of the DC Defenders is tackled by Joe Powell of the Arlington Renegades during the second half at Audi Field on May 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. Getty ImagesBut at the time of the broadcast interruption, the Defenders were leading the Renegades 33–30.
The game concluded with the Defenders securing the win when former Giants first-round pick Deandre Baker intercepted a pass — off of a fake spike — on the game’s final play, clinching a playoff spot and eliminating the Renegades from postseason contention.
That meant the ABC audience missed quite the ending, when a fake Arlington spike ahead of a game-tying FG attempt turned into a game-ending pick. That drew a "CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? WHAT A MISTAKE!" from Joe Tessitore on the call. And it sealed a playoff berth for the Defenders. pic.twitter.com/BKPMF9YFwr
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 18, 2025The decision to prioritize the NBA pregame show over the live conclusion of the UFL game is not that surprising given where we are in the sports calendar, but unfortunately, the dedicated spring football fans might have missed the dramatic ending.
Interim head coach Shannon Harris of the DC Defenders receives a conference championship berth after a 33-30 win against the Arlington Renegades at Audi Field on May 18, 2025 in Washington, DC. Getty ImagesThe Defenders clinched a playoff spot with the win and improved their record to 6-2, which is tied for first in the XFL Conference with the St. Louis Battlehawks.
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