The cable sports network ended its working relationship with Pierce on Monday, an industry source told CNN Business. ESPN declined to comment on Pierce’s departure from the network. Pierce representatives also did not immediately respond to requests for comment. News of Pierce’s resignation was first reported by Front Office Sports.
Pierce was a network analyst on several NBA programs. This included the studio program “The Jump” and its program prior to the game “NBA Countdown”. Pierce, known by the nickname “The Truth”, won an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2008.
Pierce joined ESPN before the 2017-2018 season.
The cheeky nature of the live broadcast was probably a breaking point for ESPN – a family-owned company Walt Disney Company (DIS). In addition, Pierce and others in the video do not appear to be wearing masks or following Covid protocols that have been configured on the network.
Pierce apparently addressed the situation on Twitter shortly after the news.
On Monday, Pierce posted a short video of him smiling with the caption, “Great things soon, stay tuned, make sure to smile #Truthshallsetufree.”
Later on Monday, he tweeted again writing, “I can’t lose, even when I lose, I’m winning.”
It is unclear whether anyone will replace Pierce on ESPN’s NBA schedule or whether the network will only rotate other commentators, reporters and analysts to fill his seat.