Mark Jackson signs multi-year deal to call NBA games on ESPN

NEW YORK - Mark Jackson has signed a multiyear deal with ESPN to continue calling NBA games, including the NBA Finals.

Jackson and partners Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy will work the finals in June for the eighth time, extending their own record for a TV team.

The deal with Jackson was announced Tuesday. Last week, ESPN laid off about 100 employees, including some of its high-profile TV talent.

Jackson played 17 years in the NBA, including seven seasons with the Knicks and six with the Pacers, and is fourth on the career list in assists. The 1988 Rookie of the Year joined ESPN in 2006 and called games on ESPN and ABC through 2011 before leaving to coach the Golden State Warriors. He rejoined the network during the 2014 playoffs after being fired by the Warriors.