‘Shocked and dismayed’: Iconic NBA broadcasting duo sacked in ESPN shake up

Arguably the NBA’s most iconic trio is no more after ESPN brutally sacked a star commentator in a major shake up to its line-up.

MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 19: ESPN Analysts, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mike Breen look on prior to Game Two of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics at FTX Arena on May 19, 2022 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Mark Jackson has joined Jeff Van Gundy in being laid off by ESPN after the two had been Mike Breen’s co-analysts on the NBA Finals.

The NY Post reports they are expected to be replaced by Doris Burke and Doc Rivers, who was sacked by the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this year.

Jackson said he had “unexpectedly” been told by ESPN that his “services were no longer needed.”

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“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 organisation for the past 15+ years,” Jackson said in a statement.

“It has been an honour 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.”

Jackson, 58, joins Van Gundy as a casualty of continued lay-offs at ESPN.

Van Gundy had been let go at the end of last month after executives at the network became wary of his desire to coach again, The Post’s Andrew Marchand exclusively reported.

Breen will remain, but it is expected that he’ll be joined by Doris Burke and Doc Rivers.

ESPN NBA analysts Mark Jackson (L) and Jeff Van Gundy have been let go by ESPN. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

As part of his statement on the day’s events, Jackson also took time to wish the new NBA crew nothing but the best.

“I wish greater measures of success to the new ESPN team,” he said.

“May they continue to elevate this game that has given me a home and a life. I leave ESPN with nothing but gratitude.”

Jackson first joined ESPN in 2006 and eventually left in 2011 to take over as head coach of the Warriors.

He made his way back to broadcasting on ESPN in 2014 after he was fired by Golden State.

Jackson, along with Breen and Van Gundy had called 15 NBA Finals together before the massive shake-up in the broadcast booth.

According to the NY Post, ESPN was looking at keeping Jackson as part of a “B” team with Mark Jones, but network executives preferred JJ Redick and Richard Jefferson as game analysts and are keen on assigning them better games.

ESPN also increasingly came to the realisation that Jackson’s effectiveness was tied to Van Gundy, who had established himself as one of the best game analysts in sports.

Without Van Gundy, ESPN didn’t think Jackson would offer as much.

Mike Breen (right) will have two new co-commentators. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

In the wake of Van Gundy’s lay-off last month, ESPN set its eyes on making Burke the first woman TV analyst on the NBA Finals and hiring Rivers to join Hall of Fame play-by-play caller Mike Breen.

The deals are not finalised, but are quickly moving in that direction.

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 with 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.

Unlike Van Gundy, Burke and Rivers are popular at the league offices. The league has always been a fan of Rivers in the broadcast booth. He commentated the 2004 NBA Finals.

With Rivers, like Van Gundy, ESPN faces the possibility he could return to coaching.

Rivers was fired by the Sixers this off-season and they reportedly owe him USD$16 million over the next two years. Rivers was a candidate for the Phoenix Suns’ head coaching job, but did not get it.

This article originally appeared in the NY Post and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as ‘Shocked and dismayed’: Iconic NBA broadcasting duo sacked in ESPN shake up