According to the NY Post, it seemed like Mark Jackson would be spared from the large-scale layoffs taking place at ESPN. However, ultimately ESPN decided to let him go due to the fact that he was no longer going to be a part of the network’s top NBA announce team.
Here is what the new announce team will look like at ESPN.
ESPN is closing in on promoting Doris Burke to the NBA Finals, hiring Doc Rivers to join her and laying off Mark Jackson, The Post has learned.
In the wake of Jeff Van Gundy’s firing in late June, ESPN set their eyes on making Burke the first woman TV analyst on the NBA Finals and hiring Rivers to join Hall of Fame play-by-player Mike Breen.
The deals are not finalized, but are quickly moving in that direction.
Van Gundy was a victim of ESPN’s talent layoffs. While Van Gundy was one of the best game analysts in sports, top ESPN executives were wary of his desire to coach again.
Van Gundy was also critical of the NBA and its officiating, which the NBA has expressed disappointment at over the years and even this season, according to sources.
However, there is no evidence of an edict from the NBA to make a change.
While ESPN could have simply put Burke in for Van Gundy, there was a strong feeling that the combination of Jackson and Burke would not have the same chemistry as Jackson and Van Gundy had.
What do you think about the new ESPN announce team?