ESPN intends to promote color commentator Doris Burke to its No. 1 NBA announcing team and hire Doc Rivers as the third member of the booth with play-by-play announcer Mike Breen, according to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.
The move by ESPN made longtime color commentator Mark Jackson expendable. He was laid off by the network, joining his former sidekick Jeff Van Gundy, who was cut from ESPN last month.
Jackson released a statement on Monday night confirming the news.
“This morning, unexpectedly, I was informed that my services were no longer needed at ESPN,” the statement began. “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. To the NBA, a heartfelt thank you for allowing a kid to continue to accomplish his dreams.
“It has been an honor to sit beside two LEGENDS in the business, who are like brothers to me, Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy, and learn so much from them. Lisa Salters is a GOAT and like a sister to me and I’m so proud of the work she continues to do. To the best producer in the world, and my friend, Tim Corrigan, I give the utmost thanks and gratitude and thanks for always inspiring and supporting me. 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.
“Finally, 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. I leave ESPN with nothing but gratitude, all the while knowing that my highest praise goes to God! Through it all, He has always sustained me and His grace allows me to know that there are greater blessings ahead. I look forward to what He has in store next.”
Jackson’s layoff is the latest in a series of cost-cutting moves by ESPN, which is now moving in a different direction in the booth around the Hall of Fame legend in Breen.
