ESPN’s NBA and college football play-by-play announcer, Mark Jones, is officially leaving the network after more than three decades in the commentary booth.
After a remarkable 36-year tenure, Jones has confirmed he is leaving the network following the conclusion of the NBA regular season.
In a statement, ESPN said: ‘Mark has made an enduring impact at ESPN since 1990, serving as a signature voice primarily within our NBA and college football coverage and across nearly all of our platforms.
‘We’re grateful for Mark’s countless contributions and we wish him continued success,’ the network added.
Meanwhile, Jones opened up on the matter in a heartfelt post on his own social media. Taking to Bluesky, he wrote: ‘It’s been a memorable journey these decades with the ABC/ESPN family, but I have decided that it’s time to move on.
‘From the day Dennis Swanson hired me in 1990 and working with the best producer in the business Kim Belton, until today I will forever be grateful for the many friends and colleagues along the way.
Veteran ESPN play-by-play announcer Mark Jones is officially leaving the network
After a 36-year tenure, Jones has confirmed he is leaving at the end of the NBA regular season
‘As I move on to my next chapter I believe my best work is yet to come. I’ll be out there cookin’ hotter than fish grease!’
His final assignment will come this Sunday evening, when he calls the Boston Celtics’ game against the Orlando Magic, marking the end of an era that began in 1990.
During his nearly four decades on air, the Toronto native became a signature voice for both the NBA and college football, appearing across nearly every major platform.
He famously stepped up during the 2022 NBA Finals, calling two games as the lead play-by-play voice after Mike Breen was sidelined by a positive COVID-19 test.
Beyond the booth, Jones was a mainstay in the studio, hosting SportsCenter and leading coverage for the NBA Draft Lottery and the league’s All-Star festivities.
Jones has also used his high-profile platform to advocate for social justice, frequently speaking on the importance of Black voices in the world of sports broadcasting.
