Mark Jackson had nothing but love for ESPN in a statement hours after the network laid him off Monday.
The former NBA player and coach had been in his second stint at ESPN and this past season had been part of the broadcast team that called the NBA Finals.
Jackson wrote he was let go that he had “unexpectedly” been told by ESPN that his “services were no longer needed.”
“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,” Jackson said in a statement.
“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 gratitude and thanks for always inspiring and supporting me. To all 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, 58, joins Van Gundy as a casualty of continued layoffs 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, Marchand reported.
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 shakeup in the broadcast booth.
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