Friday, June 26, 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

Jay Williams ESPN NBA Draft
Exclusive

Jay Williams: Viral Draft Moment Was ‘Extremely Uncomfortable’

Williams’s draft co-hosts joked about his career-ending injury.
Jan 8, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; ESPN personality Jordan Rodgers during 2026 Fiesta Bowl and semifinal game of the College Football Playoff at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Exclusive

Chase Daniel, Jordan Rodgers Promoted As ESPN CFB Analysts

Another change is coming to “SEC Nation.”
Chicago, IL - May 10, 2026: Jay Bilas during the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery.

Jay Bilas: 2026 NBA Draft Is Most Star-Studded Since 2003

The longtime ESPN analyst has high hopes for the 2026 class.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

6/25/26 – Austin Reaves’s Record Deal, IOC to Pay Every Olympian, Taylor Swift’s MSG Wedding, College Eligibility Lawsuits

0:00

Featured Today

Italian Americans Have Severe World Cup FOMO

Bars and restaurants in Boston, Philly, and beyond are missing the Azzurri.
Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) celebrates a three-point basket Monday, June 22, 2026, during the game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Indiana Fever defeated the Phoenix Mercury, 86-77
June 24, 2026

Female Athletes Are Trying to Build the ‘Athleisure of Beauty’

“Performance cosmetics” have emerged alongside the women’s sports boom.
June 18, 2026

Why U.S. Open Host Sites Are on a 25-Year Plan

The U.S. Open has already picked out 22 future sites through 2051.
Wisconsin Badgers forward Laila Edwards, left, and defender Caroline Harvey celebrate after Edwards scored against the Minnesota Gophers in the first period in a game Saturday, February 8, 2025, at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.
June 15, 2026

Two Rookies Are Rewriting Women’s Hockey Stardom

Their platforms are a mutual boon for the PWHL and its players.
Ai sports slop
June 5, 2026

How Sports Became Ground Zero for AI Slop

The category is the perfect breeding ground for AI content churn.

NBC’s John Fanta: College Hoops ‘Has Never Been Stronger’

The NBC broadcaster said the college basketball product has never been better.
June 25, 2026

U.S. Open Draws 5.5M Viewers, Still Trails PGA Championship

Sunday’s audience peaked at 9.3 million viewers.
Feb 7, 2022; Westlake Village, CA, USA; ESPN reporter Dianna Russini at Los Angeles Rams Super Bowl LVI Opening Night at Oaks Christian High School. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
June 25, 2026

NYT Russini Story Only Raises More Questions

Is The Athletic’s investigation into Russini’s work nearing its end?
Sponsored

How Daktronics Is Reshaping the Modern MLB Ballpark Experience

The technology powering baseball’s next chapter.
Oct 11, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly looks on against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the first half at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
Exclusive
June 24, 2026

Brian Kelly to Call CBS College Football Games

Kelly previously contributed to CBS Sports Network’s NFL Draft coverage.
June 12, 2026; Inglewood, California, U.S.; Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman of the U.S. celebrate their first goal, an own goal scored by Paraguay's Damian Bobadilla. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
June 24, 2026

USMNT World Cup Run Could Push Fox Ad Rates Past $2 Million

Fox was charging nearly $1 million for USMNT group-stage games.
Dec 7, 2024; Carson, California, USA; Alexi Lalas looks on before the 2024 MLS Cup between the LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Opinion
June 22, 2026

Have Soccer Fans Had Enough of Fox’s Alexi Lalas?

The former USMNT star has been a polarizing presence for Fox.
ESPN host Rece Davis
June 22, 2026

Rece Davis to Host ESPN’s Wimbledon Coverage

Davis replaces former host Chris McKendry, who is moving to play-by-play.