For the past six seasons, Cleveland Cavaliers broadcasts on Fox Sports Ohio (FSO) have had sideline reporter Allie Clifton as one of their key components. That connection was severed last month when news broke that she was leaving to accept a position to work on game broadcasts for the Los Angeles Lakers.
With the preseason set to get underway within the next few weeks, Clifton offered a heartfelt goodbye on social media.
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The 30-year-old Clifton’s role on FSO had largely consisted of interviewing players and coaches before and after games. In addition, short chats with players at the start of halftime and with assistant coaches just before play resumed were also staples of each broadcast.
Clifton also had served as a co-host on the Road Trippin’ podcasts, in which her fellow co-hosts were Channing Frye and former Cavs forward Richard Jefferson.
The move by Clifton was especially emotional because of her lifelong connection to the state of Ohio. She grew up in the northwest portion of the state and played for the women’s basketball team at the University of Toledo from 2006 to 2010. Her tenure with the Cavaliers and FSO began in 2012.
In her new position on Lakers broadcasts, Clifton elevates that role to host of Spectrum Sports’ coverage of Lakers games. As has been the case for the past four years, Clifton will have a front row seat to watch LeBron James, who joined the Lakers in July.
FSO has yet to name Clifton’s replacement, though such behind-the-scenes activities are no doubt taking place. That’s because the Cavaliers’ exhibition season begins early next month, with the regular season set to start on Oct.17 with a road game against the Toronto Raptors.
