Thursday, August 6, 2026

NBA Analyst Jalen Rose Among ESPN Layoffs

  • Rose, a former NBA player for 13 seasons, joined ESPN in 2007.
  • He’s been an analyst for ESPN shows “NBA Countdown,” “Get Up,” and co-hosted “Jalen & Jacoby.”
Rose, a former NBA player for 13 seasons, joined ESPN in 2007.
Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Jalen Rose has been let go by ESPN, ending his 16-year run at the company since 2007.

Rose, an NBA player from 1994 to 2006, has been a studio host for “NBA Countdown,” the pregame show that aired before game telecasts on ESPN and ABC. He also co-hosted the Jalen & Jacoby talk show that ran from 2011 until November 2022, following David Jacoby’s departure from ESPN.

Other ESPN shows to feature Rose included “Get Up” and “SportsCenter,” as well as ESPN Radio programming. He played 13 seasons in the NBA for six teams— the Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and Phoenix Suns. 

Before the NBA, Rose played collegiately for the University of Michigan’s iconic “Fab Five” basketball team, which was the focus of ESPN’s documentary “The Fab Five” in 2011.

Recently for ESPN, Rose delivered passionate on-air comments about his past struggles and advice to Ja Morant following the suspended NBA star’s first gun-flashing video incident. Rose then hosted a 20-minute sit-down interview with Morant. 

“I am Ja Morant. You guys have had the chance to see me grow up from public consumption since 1991,” Rose said on ESPN in March. “I’ve been involved with drug raids, I’ve survived assassination attempts. I’ve been that undisciplined young person that was trying to figure out how to be famous, how to be successful, and how to change the dynamics of my family.”

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Troy Aikman and Joe Buck arrive at the Disney Upfront 2022 event in New York City, New York, U.S., May 17, 2022. REUTERS/David Dee Delgado

Aikman, Buck Head Into High-Stakes ESPN Negotiations

ESPN hopes to retain the duo past the network’s first Super Bowl.
Jul 31, 2026; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves third baseman Austin Riley (27) first baseman Matt Olson (28) pitcher Elieser Hernandez and catcher Joey Bart (16) react after defeating the Washington Nationals at Truist Park.

BravesVision Rollout Drags Braves Revenue Lower

Quarterly revenue and operating income fell for the MLB club.
FILE PHOTO: Disney+ logo is seen in this illustration taken August 5, 2025.

Disney Sells Out of Super Bowl LXI Ad Inventory

ESPN parent company Disney exhausted its inventory on an earlier schedule.
Dec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on after the game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers Torches ESPN, Fauci, Others on ‘McAfee’

Rodgers didn’t hold back during his half-hour interview.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

8/6/26 – LIV’s Funding Promise, Disney Sells Out Super Bowl, Inside Tom Brady’s CardVault

0:00

Featured Today

Joey Spallina of the Maryland Whipsnakes

How Eye Black Became ‘War Paint’ on the Field

“You’re going into battle, doing something you only do on game days.”
August 6, 2026

Tom Brady Explains His Aggressive Push Into Trading Cards

Brady talked to FOS about his eponymous card company.
FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Indian Premier League - IPL - Mumbai Indians v Chennai Super Kings - Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India - April 23, 2026 Mumbai Indians' Suryakumar Yadav in action
August 5, 2026

India Is Stealing Cricket’s Throne From England and Australia

India’s insatiable appetite for cricket has shifted the traditional locus of power.
WPBL
July 30, 2026

Who’s Playing Women’s Professional Baseball?

Sixty players from 11 countries are descending on Illinois for six weeks.
Tom's Watch Bar
July 17, 2026

Sports Bars Are Cashing In From Summer of Soccer

The World Cup has brought a windfall to America’s biggest sports bars.

Netflix Wants to Not ‘Do Too Much’ With Field of Dreams Game

The upgraded Iowa complex now has a permanent stadium. 
August 6, 2026

Fox Pushes Back NFL Media-Rights Negotiations Until 2028

The company also touted strong results from the FIFA men’s World Cup.
The Warner Bros. Water Tower is pictured at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank on the day it was announced that California and 11 states are suing to block Paramount's $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery in California, U.S. July 13, 2026.
August 6, 2026

WBD Ad Sales Sink Without NBA Live Rights

WBD’s fiscal second-quarter revenue fell 11%.
Sponsored

Saints Great Turns to Ownership

Marques Colston discusses his Champions Fund launch and finding success after football.
National Women’s Soccer League commissioner Jessica Berman announces Columbus as the league's 18th club at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field on April 21, 2026. The club, set to begin play in 2028, will be owned by Haslam Sports Group (HSG), Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards.
August 5, 2026

NWSL Makes Super Bowl Week Part of Its 2027 Kickoff

The NWSL wants to be “woven into” ESPN’s first Super Bowl.
New MLS commissioner Larry Berg speaks with Front Office Sports.
August 5, 2026

Incoming MLS Commissioner Sees ‘Uncapped Upside’ in Media Rights

NYCFC’s CEO called broadcast revenue the league’s biggest weakness.
May 16, 2026; Laurel, MD, USA; Napoleon Solo (10) ridden by Paco Lopez leads Iron Honor (9) ridden by Flavien Prat, Chip Honcho (6) ridden by Jose Ortiz Jr., and Taj Mahal (1) ridden by Sheldon Russell down the stretch during the 151st Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Exclusive
August 4, 2026

NBC to Retain Media Rights to Preakness Stakes

NBC has held the race’s rights since 2001.
David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, speaks during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon, the official convention of Cinema United, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 16, 2026.
August 4, 2026

Paramount Antitrust Trial Delayed As Ellison Makes Case for Merger

Company CEO David Ellison is much more outspoken about the transaction.