Veteran Play-By-Play Announcer Leaving ESPN

Mark Jones

Mark Jones is leaving ESPN after more than 30 years, sources told The Athletic. His final ESPN assignment is Sunday at 6 p.m. ET, when the Boston Celtics face the Orlando Magic.

ESPN thanked Jones in a statement, noting his enduring impact on the network’s NBA and college football coverage since 1990, but did not formally confirm the departure. Jones, 64, is not expected to retire; his next steps remain unclear.

A longtime play-by-play announcer, Jones was once ESPN’s No. 2 NBA play-by-play voice and filled in for Mike Breen for two Finals games in 2022 when Breen tested positive for COVID. In recent years he moved down the NBA depth chart behind Breen, Dave Pasch and Ryan Ruocco.

Jones has also been a regular on ESPN’s college football broadcasts, including Pac-12 late-night windows, and has contributed to studio coverage for the Finals, Draft Lottery, All-Star Game and other marquee events. A Toronto native, he has called local games for the Sacramento Kings, though most of his career has been with ESPN/ABC.