It was announced this summer that Mark Jackson would not return to his role as a broadcaster for the NBA on ESPN for the 2023-24 season.
Jackson was one of the many layoffs by ESPN, along with his longtime partner Jeff Van Gundy as Disney elected to go in a different direction with its studio and in-game NBA broadcast teams.
“This morning, unexpectedly, I was informed that my services were no longer needed at ESPN,” Jackson said in a statement after the news. “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 part of the organization for the past 15+ years. I would also like to thank the NBA fans watching at home and in the arenas throughout the league for all of your support."
At first, it seemed like Jackson would land on his feet. The New York Post's Andrew Marchand reported that Jackson — a former Knicks player — "is moving toward a broadcasting role with the Knicks" and MSG Network.
However, when the 2023-24 season began, Jackson was not on the sidelines calling games for New York.
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What happened with the situation between Jackson and the Knicks that caused the former player and broadcaster to issue a statement? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.
Mark Jackson Knicks coach MSG job dispute, explained
On Wednesday, Nov. 15, The New York Post's Marchand reported that Jackson will not be calling games on MSG Network after the Knicks objected to him being on the team's chartered jet.
The plan was for Jackson to occasionally fill in for Clyde Frazier on the broadcast this season, but The Post reported that Knicks president Leon Rose nixed the idea due to "an old quarrel with Jackson and a current Knicks assistant coach, according to sources."
The assistant coach in question is Darren Erman, who was on Jackson's staff during his time as head coach with the Warriors. Erman was fired by Jackson back in 2014 for secretly taping and recording conversations between the coaching staff and players.
"He was taping everything," a source told The Post back in 2014. "Taping pregame speeches wouldn't have been that bad, but he was taping guys just sitting around talking in the coaches' office."
Jackson took to Instagram to clear the air and address these rumors.
Mark Jackson's response to Knicks broadcasting rumors
"Come on man. Come on. At some point, the lies have got to stop. The lies have got to stop," Jackson began in his Instagram video.
"... Today, a report came out that I was fired or dismissed from calling Knick games. [I was] honored and privileged to have an offer bestowed upon me to back up the legend Walt Clyde Frazier, calling Knick games.
"Over a week ago, I turned that job down. You heard what I said: More than a week ago, I turned the job down due to the fact that it wasn't the ideal conditions, and it wasn't the ideal time for me," Jackson continued.
"You never know what the future holds. They say 'Once a Knick, always a Knick.' I bleed, inside of me, blue and orange. I dreamt of playing for the Knicks. I dreamt of calling games for the Knicks. It would have been a dream accomplished. It just didn't work out."
You can find the full video below.
Mark Jackson on IG: "Come on man. Come on. At some point, the lies have got to stop. The lies have got to stop.
— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) November 16, 2023
"I've sat back year after year after year, listening to lies, questioning me as a man and my integrity for what I stand for, what I was raised on That's been… pic.twitter.com/g44oQJIhZg
