Mark Jackson Follows Ex-Companion Jeff Van Gundy in ESPN Exit

4 months ago 2 min read

The large ESPN layoffs that started a couple of month in the past and have seen greater than 20 widespread on-air skills relieved of their duties have claimed one other sufferer: Mark Jackson. The termination spree, which claimed the job of Jackson’s longtime companion Jeff Van Gundy, got here for Jackson on Monday when he was “unexpectedly” knowledgeable that his “companies have been not wanted at ESPN.”

“Though shocked and dismayed with the suddenness of all of it, I want to thank ESPN and all of the employees of the NBA ESPN crew for permitting me to be part of the group for the previous 15+ years,” Jackson wrote on social media. “It’s been an honor to sit down beside two LEGENDS within the enterprise who’re like brothers to me, Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy…Lisa Salters is a GOAT and like a sister to me and I’m pleased with the work she continues to do. I want better measures of success to the brand new ESPN workforce. Might they proceed to raise this recreation that has given me a house and a life.”

Presumably, Breen and Salters will retain their roles on ESPN’s prime basketball crew, and the expectation is that Jackson and Van Gundy can be changed by fired 76ers coach Doc Rivers and NBA broadcast veteran Doris Burke. (That could possibly be a bit awkward for ESPN’s $85 million man Pat McAfee.)

Jackson, who coached the Golden State Warriors simply earlier than their championship dynasty started, has two years left on his contract, which The Worldwide Chief should pay out. In keeping with Entrance Workplace Sports activities, ESPN provided Jackson a demotion to the community’s No. 2 NBA broadcast workforce, however he rejected that proposal. In keeping with The New York Publish, Jackson’s dismissal was straight associated to ESPN’s prior transfer to do away with Van Gundy. “ESPN more and more got here to the belief that Jackson’s effectiveness was tied to Van Gundy, who had established himself as probably the greatest recreation analysts in sports activities,” per The Publish.

With Jackson and Van Gundy out, count on to see extra of JJ Redick and Richard Jefferson as recreation analysts, as ESPN executives are apparently excessive on their potential and plan to assign them higher video games. Don’t count on to see extra of Jalen Rose becauase he was additionally let go by ESPN. He, or Van Gundy or Jackson, may wind up with a gig at NBA TV or TNT.