The cable sports network ended its working relationship with Pierce Monday, an industry source told CNN Business. ESPN declined to comment on Pierce leaving the network. Pierce’s representatives also did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Front Office Sports first reported the news of Pierce’s shooting.
Pierce was a network analyst on several NBA programs. It included the “The Jump” studio program and its pre-game program “NBA Countdown.” Pierce, nicknamed “The Truth,” won an NBA championship with the Celtics in 2008.
Pierce joined ESPN before the 2017-2018 season.
The sleek nature of live streaming is likely to be a breaking point for ESPN, a family-owned company. Walt Disney Company (DIS). Also, it appears that Pierce and other people in the video do not wear masks or follow Covid protocols that have been established on the network.
Apparently, Pierce addressed the situation on Twitter shortly after the news.
Monday, Pierce posted a short video of him smiling with the caption “The big things that will come soon stay tuned make sure you smile #Truthshallsetufree”.
Monday later, he tweeted again write, “I can’t lose even when I lose I win.”
It’s unclear if anyone will replace Pierce in ESPN’s NBA programming or if the network will only turn to other commentators, journalists and analysts to fill his position.