NBA Announcer Mark Jackson Confirms ESPN Exit: “I Was Told My Services Were No Longer Needed”
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“Mama, there goes that man!”
That signature tagline will no longer be heard onESPN‘sNBA broadcasts as longtime announcerMark Jackson joinsthe ranks of on air talent laid off of late by the network. Almost exactly a month ago, Jackson’s broadcast partner (and former coach) Jeff Van Gundy was among the 20-odd boldfaced names let go by the network. Since then, speculation has abounded about Jackson’s fate. The move came as a surprise to Jackson, however.
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“This morning, unexpectedly, I was informed that my services were no longer needed at ESPN,” Jackson wrote on socialmedia this evening. “Although shocked and dismayed with the suddenness of it all, I would like to thank ESPN and all the staff of the NBA ESPN crew for allowing me to be a part of the organization for the past 15+ years.”
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Jackson confirmed his departure with Peter Vecsey earlier today. Vescey reported that Jackson has two years left on his contract, which the network will have to pay out in order to bring former 76ers coach Doc Rivers and NBA broadcast veteranDoris Burke on as play-by-play announcerMike Breen‘s on-air cohorts.
RELATED:Stephen A. Smith On ESPN Layoffs: “This Ain’t The End. More Is Coming. I Could Be Next”
This just in: Mark Jackson told me he was let go by ESPN. He had two years left on his contract. Jeff Van Gundy was let go weeks ago. Doc Rivers and Doris Burke are now Mike Breen’s partners…
— Peter Vecsey (@PeterVecsey1)July 31, 2023
Jackson, who played for seven teams (two of them twice) over his NBA career as well as coached the Golden State Warriors from 2011-2104, had worked NBA games for ESPN from 2006-11 and returned to the network the same season his coaching stint at Golden State ended.
Jackson was generally classy in his remarks about the departure, praising Van Gundy, Breen and sideline reporter Lisa Salters.
“It’s been an honor to sit beside two LEGENDS in the business who are like brothers to me, Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy… Lisa Salters is a GOAT and like a sister to me and I’m proud of the work she continues to do,” he wrote.
He also, without naming them, wished good things for his replacements.
“I wish greater measures of success to the new ESPN team. May they continue to elevate this game that has given me a home and a life.”
— Mark Jackson (@MarkJackson13)August 1, 2023
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16 Comments
- dalton tan
Mark Jackson was fired by the Golden State Warriors in 2014!
- Anonymous
Coach Mark Jackson built the Golden State Warriors into the team that every one feared. He was fired because he’s also a Minister. He was replaced by Steve Kerr who gets all the credit but Steph Curry has repeatedly said they would have zero championships without Mark Jackson.
- Cory
Hated this idiot. Couldn’t be happier I will never hear his voice again.
- Anonymous
Jealousy is abitch, fortunately we don’t have to your voice!!!!!!
- Richard the Nuggets Fan
+1
- DA MC
I love the way his remarks after being laid-off. He handled that the correct way. He has 2 months pay coming. So he can sit back & enjoy his family before he makes decisions regarding his next endeavors.
- Anon
Two YEARS pay, according to the article.
- RJ
They owe him 2 yrs not 2 months. Jackson had 2 yrs left on his contract.
- Vinnie B
Maybe now he can get another head coach position he deserves it
- Ben
Word
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