Mark Jones is leaving ESPN after 35 years to join the Sacramento Kings’ broadcast team full-time. The veteran commentator will call his final game for the network when the Boston Celtics face the Orlando Magic.
Jones got emotional during his farewell appearance on Inside The NBA. The crew gave him a standing ovation as he reflected on his time with the network.
“I have a very full and a very heavy heart today as I say goodbye to the only place that I have really worked in network television,” Jones said. “I’m just thankful for all the friends that I’ve made along the journey, you know. They talk about it not being about the destination but the journey. My journey has been outstanding.”
Mark Jones gets a standing ovation from the Inside the NBA crew
Watch Magic-Celtics at 6 PM ET for @MarkJonesESPN‘s final broadcast on ESPN pic.twitter.com/kzV5SmgjoI
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 12, 2026
Jones created some of the NBA’s most memorable calls during his ESPN tenure. He coined the term “LeBronto” in the 2010s. He also called Bam Adebayo’s block on Jayson Tatum during the 2020 NBA Playoffs.
His voice wasn’t limited to basketball. Jones provided commentary for college football’s Miracle on Techwood Drive between Florida State and Georgia Tech.
ESPN assigned Jones to cover major sporting events throughout his career. He worked the 2022 and 2011 NBA Finals. He started as a sideline reporter in 1990 before moving to play-by-play commentary a year later.
Jones began his ESPN career working alongside Brent Musburger and Jim Valvano. He spent his early years focused on college football before transitioning to more NBA coverage.
“I had a chance to be around some outstanding people,” Jones said. “I started my career off working with Brent Musburger and Jim Valvano, one of my very first assignments… I had a chance to do NBA Finals and just be around some wonderful people as part of my NBA family.”
Doris Burke will work alongside Jones for his final ESPN broadcast.
“So as I say goodbye today, I’m having fun. I’m doing it with my partner, Doris Burke, and I could not think of a better way to go out,” he added.
Jones isn’t retiring from broadcasting. He’s moving to NBC’s crew to provide commentary for Kings games. Fans will still hear his voice calling games in Sacramento.
The Magic-Celtics game marks the end of Jones’s 35-year run with ESPN.
