Veteran Sportscaster Mark Jones Leaves ESPN for Full-Time Role with Sacramento Kings

After 36 years at ESPN, Jones is prioritizing his local broadcasting duties with the NBA franchise.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 7:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented scenes of a basketball game or broadcast booth, with sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant colors like blue, red, and yellow, conveying the idea of a broadcaster prioritizing their local community over national fame.A veteran broadcaster's decision to leave national stardom for a local passion project reflects the growing power of community-driven sports coverage.Today in Sacramento

Mark Jones, a veteran sportscaster known for his extensive vocabulary and distinctive style, is leaving his long-time role at ESPN to focus full-time on being the primary television play-by-play voice for the Sacramento Kings. This decision marks a significant shift in Jones' career, as he has been a staple of national sports broadcasting for decades.

Why it matters

Jones' move away from ESPN to prioritize his local role with the Kings highlights the growing importance of dedicated local sports broadcasters who can build strong connections with their community. This decision challenges the norm of multi-tasking and spreading oneself too thin that is often seen in the industry.

The details

Jones, 64, was hired by the Kings in November 2020 to replace Grant Napear as the team's TV play-by-play announcer. He initially worked alongside Kings coach Doug Christie as the color analyst before partnering with Kayte Christensen, the current color commentator. Jones has embraced the role and the city, stating he plans to be in Sacramento for a 'long, long time'.

  • Jones began his broadcasting career at The Sports Network in Canada.
  • He was hired by ESPN in 1990 to host 'NBA Today'.
  • The Kings hired Jones to replace Grant Napear in November 2020.
  • Jones is leaving his extensive ESPN schedule to focus full-time on the Kings in 2026.

The players

Mark Jones

A veteran sportscaster with a 36-year career at ESPN, known for his extensive vocabulary and distinctive style. He is leaving ESPN to focus full-time on his role as the primary television play-by-play voice for the Sacramento Kings.

Doug Christie

The former Kings coach who served as the team's TV color analyst before joining the coaching staff.

Kayte Christensen

The Kings' current color commentator, who now partners with Jones on the team's broadcasts.

Kyle Draper

The Kings' studio host and substitute play-by-play announcer when Jones is away on assignment for ESPN.

Grant Napear

The previous TV play-by-play announcer for the Kings, who Jones replaced in November 2020.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I plan to be here for a long, long time.”

— Mark Jones

What’s next

Jones' move to focus full-time on the Kings could signal a broader shift in the broadcasting landscape, where local teams are becoming more attractive to broadcasters looking for a more stable and fulfilling career.

The takeaway

Mark Jones' decision to prioritize his local role with the Sacramento Kings over his national duties at ESPN highlights the growing importance of dedicated local sports broadcasters who can build strong connections with their community. This move challenges the industry norm of multi-tasking and suggests the future of sports broadcasting may lie in the hands of those most passionate about the game and their local fanbase.