ESPN Analysts, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Mike Breen look on prior to Game Two of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and the Boston Celtics at FTX Arena on May 19, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
*NBA announcer Mike Breen is reacting to the firings of his long-time broadcast partners Mark Jackson and Jeff Van Gundy amid ESPN’s mass layoffs.
“It’s sad because we really thought we had something special and … we were able to do it a lot longer than anybody ever did,’ Breen told The New York Post. “It’s something we’ll all treasure, but we just wish it was a little bit longer.
“You don’t expect it, because it was such a great team and to have it completely broken up was a surprise.”
Jackson and Van Gundy are expected to be replaced by Doris Burke and Doc Rivers, New York Post reports. Rivers, however, could return to coaching. The Sixers fired him this offseason, and they reportedly owe him $16 million over the next two years.
Van Gundy was let go in June, and Jackson was fired Monday. The other on-air hosts who have been laid off this summer include Jalen Rose, Suzy Kolber, Max Kellerman, Bomani Jones and Keyshawn Johnson, per Daily Mail.
ESPN’s decision to break up its popular announcing trio of Breen, Jackson, and Van Gundy, who began working together in 2006, has garnered the most attention.
“They were the dream partners,” Breen told The Post. “All the accomplishments were because of what we did together. I really do feel personally any success I had was because I had those two guys next to me. They just provided everything you would want in analysts. They’re smart. They’re funny. They’re knowledgeable about their sport. They’re opinionated. They love their sport, but are not afraid to criticize. They just had a little bit of everything.”
He also revealed the personal toll the firings have taken on him, saying he feared the 2023 NBA Finals might be their last.
“The other part of it is the personal part, and that’s tougher,” Breen continued.
“Now, we’re going to be friends until the day we die. Those guys taught me so much about what I know about the NBA,” he continued.
“I’ve learned more from those two than anybody. But they’ve also taught me about stuff that has nothing to do with basketball. I look up to both of them because not just their talents as broadcasters, but the kind of men they are. I just feel so privileged to have that time,” Breen added.
“I’ve always said that I’m so honored to call the Finals every year, but what made it so special for me is I got to call it with those two and seeing it come to an end, it’s hard to come to grips with.”
READ MORE: Philadelphia 76ers Part Ways with Head Coach Doc Rivers, Fans React
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