Mark Jackson took to Instagram on Wednesday to refute a report from the New York Post suggesting that he lost out on a broadcasting job with the Knicks due to objections from the franchise regarding his presence on the team’s chartered jet.
In his Instagram statement, Jackson clarified, “Today, a report came out that I was fired or dismissed from calling Knicks games. Honored and privileged to have an offer bestowed upon me to back up the legend Walt Clyde Frazier calling Knick games. Over a week ago, I turned that job down. You heard what I said: More than a week ago, I turned the job down due to the fact that it wasn’t the ideal conditions, and it wasn’t the ideal time for me.”
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He went on to say, “You never know what the future holds. They say once a Knick, always a Knick, I bleed a side of me blue and orange. I dreamt of playing for the Knicks. I dreamt of calling games for the Knicks. It would’ve been a dream accomplished, but it just didn’t work out.”
Jackson gave credit to the reporter for seeking information, stating, “I give the reporter credit, four calls yesterday from reporters trying to get a quote from me. I did not respond because I don’t play that game. I let it alone thinking that it’ll die and nobody will know what happened. But over a week ago, I turned the job down.”
It’s important to note that initially, Jackson did not respond to messages seeking comment, and the Knicks declined to comment as well.
The initial report by the Post’s Andrew Marchand suggested that MSG Networks intended to hire Jackson as a backup analyst to Walt Frazier for the season when Frazier would have nights off. However, Knicks management, led by team president Leon Rose, reportedly rescinded the offer due to strained relations between Jackson and current Knicks assistant coach Darren Erman. In 2014, Erman, then part of Jackson’s staff with the Warriors, was fired over a “violation of company policy,” including the secret recording of meetings involving coaches.
