What role did Knicks play in Mark Jackson losing MSG Network gig?

Drama always seems to find the New York Knicks, but at least this time, it doesn't involve a player. Instead, it involves a former Knicks player and someone who's long been connected to open coaching roles within the organization, Mark Jackson.

Jackson was part of the ESPN layoffs over the summer and was close to securing a new deal with MSG Networks to fill in for Clyde Frazier. The Knicks legend is 78 and is cutting back on travel this season, which prompted MSG to look to Jackson to fill his role. However, Jackson will no longer announce games alongside his former colleague Mike Breen.

According to New York Post's Andrew Marchand, New York objected to Jackson being on the team plane.

"We weren’t able to work something out this season,” an MSG Network spokesman told The Post."

Mark Jackson will no longer be filling in for Clyde Frazier during select Knicks games

New York Post reported that Leon Rose was the "final decision maker" on whether or not Mark Jackson would be allowed on the team plane, team bus, or to stay at the same hotel as the team.

Marchand speculated that the decision could be because of Jackson's history with Darren Erman, a current Knicks assistant. In the 2013-14 season, Erman, who was on Jackson's staff in Golden State, was fired for secretly recording conversations between players and coaches. Erman has been with New York as an assistant coach since Nov. 2020.

You might be wondering why Jackson is no longer with MSG Networks, especially since he could technically go through the effort of being separated from the team but still calling games.

"Jackson could have chosen to fly commercial, stay in a different hotel and find a way to the arena, but it is arduous; especially with back-to-backs and without really being paid extra for his effort. "

- Andrew Marchand, New York Post

Therefore, Mark Jackson is out before a new deal between him and MSG could've been agreed upon. Wally Szczerbiak will now fill in for Frazier, just as he did on Monday in Boston.