Mark

ESPN Announces New Contract For Mark Jones

By Elsie A. Dotson 4 months ago
Mark Jones at the 2011 NBA Draft.

Mark Jones at the 2011 NBA Draft.

One of the top play-by-play commentators for ESPN is sticking around for the long haul. On Friday, the network announced a multi-year contract extension for Mark Jones.

Jones has been at ESPN for over three decades. He’s done an excellent job covering NBA and college football games for the network during that span.

In an official statement, Jones made it clear that he’s thrilled to remain a part of the ESPN family.

“This is where I want to be. I’m absolutely thrilled to continue this unimaginable journey through sports at ESPN with the most talented people in the industry,” Jones said, via ESPN Front Row. “I think about walking into the NBA Today and SportsCenter studios in 1990 with a chance to document the Michael Jordan-era Chicago Bulls, and almost 32 years later I’m covering another all-time legend in LeBron James. I’m

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Mark Schwarz retirement: ESPN ‘SportsCenter’ reporter steps away

By Elsie A. Dotson 5 months ago

Mark Schwarz, a veteran ESPN reporter known for his work on SportsCenter, is calling it a career after 32 years with the network.

Schwarz started at ESPN in 1990, covering a litany of major events throughout his career. In 2021–22, he’s focused on major stories including the Novak Djokovic situation at this year’s Australian Open as well as Celtics center Enes Kanter Freedom’s vocal activism.

“I very much knew when I signed my last deal back in December of 2018 it would be my final deal,” Schwarz said in ESPN’s announcement of his retirement. “And I have thoroughly enjoyed all 32 years that I’ve had.

“Using a sports cliché–I’ve put it all out on the field. I have plenty more to give, and I’m a young guy in good health, but there’s a lot more in my life that I’m looking to do right now, and I

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Mark Davis, Raiders players upset with Browns game postponement

By Elsie A. Dotson 6 months ago

Mark Davis, Raiders players upset with Browns game postponement originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea

The NFL postponed Saturday afternoon’s Week 15 matchup between the Las Vegas Raiders and Cleveland Browns to Monday evening due to a COVID-19 outbreak within the Browns organization.

And the Raiders aren’t too thrilled with the league’s decision.

Raiders owner Mark Davis told ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez that the postponement puts the Raiders at a “competitive disadvantage,” citing that Las Vegas had been preparing to play the road matchup on a short week and will now have to play their Week 16 game on a short week.

“Health and safety is always No. 1, but it’s tough,” Davis said. “Maybe Cleveland should travel [to Las Vegas]. That would make it more fair.”

A few Raiders players took to Twitter to voice their displeasure with the postponement as well.

Cornerback Casey Hayward added: “Straight bulls***!!! @NFL

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Mark Davis says postponing game vs Browns is ‘competitive disadvantage’ for Raiders

By Elsie A. Dotson 6 months ago

Understandably there are more than a few furious people today. Some are furious at the Browns, Rams, and Washington for their rash of positive COVID-19 cases. Some are furious with the NFL and NFLPA for what they see as going back on their words that they would not be re-scheduling those three games to Monday and Tuesday.

That goes for the fans, players, coaches, and otherwise. It’s a huge inconvenience if nothing else. Raiders owner Mark Davis says it puts the Raiders at a competitive disadvantage as he told ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez.

There is a lot here to unpack, so let’s do that.

Davis has a point about the short week situation. The Raiders were already preparing for a short week because the league had scheduled their game for Saturday. That doesn’t change, really. Now they just have to wait a few days to actually play that game.

What this

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