After being let go from his job as an NBA broadcaster with ESPN, Mark Jackson landed on his feet with MSG Network, where he was set to fill in for Clyde Frazier from time to time during the 2023 NBA season.
That agreement is no longer in place.
Jackson has reportedly been fired from his analyst job with MSG Network after the New York Knicks took issue with the New York native boarding their team plane.
According to The New York Post, Knicks management put a stop to Jackson’s partnership with MSG Network due to “an old quarrel between Jackson and an assistant coach.”
Both the Knicks and Jackson have declined comment on the matter, but MSG Network has responded.
“We weren’t able to work something out this season,” an MSG Network spokesman told The Post.
Jackson had been set to reunite with longtime ESPN coworker Mike Breen on the MSG broadcast, a pairing many locals had been looking forward to.
Meanwhile, the New York Post seems to hint that the decision stems from an incident between Jackson and Darren Erman, a current assistant coach with the Knicks.
Back in 2014, when he was the head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Jackson fired Erman from the staff. A report later accused Erman of recording Jackson and players on the team without their knowledge or permission. Jackson later commented on the matter, calling Erman’s behavior “inexcusable.”
According to The Post, Knicks team president Leon Rose was the final decision-maker who voted against Jackson being allowed on the team plane, hotel, or bus this season. The Knicks are set for a five-game road trip, and Jackson was expected to call all five games for MSG Network.
Retired former NBA sharpshooter Wally Szczerbiak has since taken over Jackson’s duties, filling in for Frazier.
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