Mark Jackson is the latest high-profile sports personality to fall victim to ESPN's massive round of midsummer layoffs.
It was reported on Monday that the company would be parting ways with Jackson. The 58-year-old rejoined ESPN in 2014 after spending four years as the coach of the Golden State Warriors. He had previously been with the network from 2006 to 2011.
Jackson became a staple of the network's top basketball broadcast team. The former NBA player was also one of the company's most recognizable commentators.
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Jackson confirmed the news on Monday night in a statement on Twitter. He revealed that he was "shocked and dismayed" by the suddenness of ESPN's decision, which he said was "unexpected." Still, he was thankful to have been given a chance to work for the company.
This morning, unexpectedly, I was informed that my services were no longer needed at ESPN. 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. I would also like to thank the NBA fans watching at home and in arenas throughout the league for all of your support. To the NBA, a heartfelt thank you for allowing a kid to continue to accomplish his dreams.
Jackson would go on to say it was "an honor" to work alongside play-by-play man Mike Breen and analyst Jeff Van Gundy, who comprised his on-air announcing team. He also gave a shout-out to Lisa Salters, who he said "is like a sister" to him, as well as his producer Tim Corrigan.
"To all of the staff and crew that may have never been seen on camera... please know that you were always seen by me and so greatly appreciated," Jackson wrote.
— Mark Jackson (@MarkJackson13) August 1, 2023
Jackson's departure from ESPN means the company will now be looking to replace two key cogs of its top broadcast team. Van Gundy was another one of the network's high-profile layoffs. Now, only Breen remains of the three-man booth that called the NBA Finals together from 2006 to 2011 and 2014 to 2023.
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So, how are ESPN and ABC going to replace Jackson and Van Gundy? Andrew Marchand of the New York Post reports that the Disney-owned networks are planning to hire former Magic, Celtics, Clippers and 76ers coach Doc Rivers to serve as one analyst, while Doris Burke will be internally promoted to serve as the other.
Rivers has previous broadcast experience, as he called the 2004 NBA Finals on ABC alongside Al Michaels. He pivoted back to coaching after that, but a media career was always viewed as a possibility for the 61-year-old.
Meanwhile, Burke has worked at ESPN since 1991 and has been a part of the network's No. 2 broadcast team alongside Mark Jones in recent seasons. She will now move up to the No. 1 team, becoming the first woman to call a major U.S. men’s championship on TV.
