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

After 36 years with the network, Jones plans to focus solely on his play-by-play duties for the NBA franchise.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 3:29am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented basketball court or broadcast booth, with overlapping planes of color in shades of blue, orange, and green, conceptually representing the transition of a veteran sports announcer from a national network to a local team.A veteran broadcaster's shift from national coverage to a local team signals a growing trend in sports media.Boston Today

Longtime ESPN announcer Mark Jones is stepping away from the network after 36 years to take on a full-time play-by-play role with the Sacramento Kings. Jones, who has been splitting his time between ESPN and the Kings since 2020, is now poised to dedicate his entire energy to the NBA franchise, citing a desire for a more intimate connection to a specific team and community.

Why it matters

Jones' departure from ESPN, one of the most prominent sports media outlets, signals a growing trend where seasoned broadcasters are seeking out roles that offer a deeper, more lasting impact within a specific team or local market, rather than the more transient nature of national broadcasting. This transition highlights the evolving priorities of veteran sports media personalities as they look to build a lasting legacy and stronger community ties.

The details

After 36 years of calling games across the NBA, WNBA, and college football for ESPN, Jones will now focus solely on his play-by-play duties for the Sacramento Kings, a team he has been associated with since 2020. Jones replaced Grant Napear as the Kings' primary play-by-play announcer that year and has since built a strong rapport with the team's broadcast partners, including color commentator Kayte Christensen.

  • Jones will make his final ESPN appearance on April 12, 2026, calling a matchup between the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics.
  • Jones joined the Sacramento Kings' broadcast team in 2020, replacing Grant Napear as the primary play-by-play announcer.

The players

Mark Jones

A veteran sports broadcaster who has spent the last 36 years working for ESPN, covering a wide range of sports including the NBA, WNBA, and college football. Jones is now leaving ESPN to focus solely on his play-by-play duties for the Sacramento Kings.

Grant Napear

The former play-by-play announcer for the Sacramento Kings, who was replaced by Mark Jones in 2020.

Kayte Christensen

The current color commentator for the Sacramento Kings' broadcast team, who has worked alongside Mark Jones since he joined the franchise in 2020.

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What they’re saying

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

— Mark Jones

What’s next

Jones' full-time status with the Sacramento Kings for the 2026-27 season has not been officially confirmed, but his statement about his long-term plans suggests he is committed to the franchise for the foreseeable future.

The takeaway

Mark Jones' decision to leave his long-standing role at ESPN and focus solely on the Sacramento Kings represents a broader shift in the sports broadcasting landscape, where veteran personalities are prioritizing deeper connections to specific teams and communities over the more transient nature of national coverage. This transition highlights the evolving priorities of seasoned media professionals as they seek to build lasting legacies and have a more tangible impact on the local sports scene.