*An era is coming to an end at ESPN. Veteran play-by-play announcer Mark Jones – seemingly out of nowhere – is leaving the network after an extraordinary 36-year run. His final broadcast will take place TODAY, Sunday (04-12-26), when he calls the Orlando Magic vs. Boston Celtics game at 6 p.m. ET on the last day of the 2025-26 NBA regular season. ESPN plans to honor him with an on-air tribute during the game.
Jones, 63, has been a signature voice for ESPN since 1990, primarily covering the NBA and college football while also contributing to SportsCenter and other events. He described the departure as entirely his own decision, telling the network, “It’s time to move on.” Awful Announcing says ESPN has confirmed that Jones could have stayed if he wanted. He is not retiring and has expressed deep gratitude, crediting God for sustaining him throughout his career.
A Voice Unlike Any Other
Fans know Jones for his high-energy style, clever wordplay, and unforgettable catchphrases. His most famous line, “Hotter than fish grease,” became a cultural staple whenever a player got scorching hot. He would often follow a big dunk or a deep three-pointer with this phrase, and it quickly became his trademark. Other classic calls from his career include “He caught a body” for powerful dunks or blocks, “In your chest, like bronchitis” for aggressive defensive plays, and “Cleared that like search history” for high-flying rejections. He also became known for playful lines such as “My George, Paul on the job” when referring to Paul George and “Took his cornbread” after a player lost the ball on a steal.
Jones frequently dropped rap-style bars and pop-culture references into his broadcasts, making even routine regular-season games feel electric. His college football calls were equally memorable, including “Manning the Magician” for Arch Manning’s big plays at Texas. Whether calling a summer league game in Las Vegas or a playoff showdown in Boston, Jones always brought a sense of fun and unpredictability that made him stand out in an industry where many voices sound the same. Fans have compiled his best moments on YouTube and TikTok under titles like “Best Mark Jones Calls” and “Mark Jones Hilarious Moments,” ensuring his legacy will live on long after his final ESPN broadcast.
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On Representation and Black Play-by-Play Announcers
In a February 2025 interview with Andscape, conducted ahead of a historic all-Black NBA broadcast crew, Jones spoke passionately about the value of diversity in the booth. He said, “I equate the play-by-play announcer to the point guard in basketball or the quarterback, even in football. Your play-by-play announcer is the guy that drives a lot of the narratives, the predominant storyteller of a broadcast to be able to take the player out of the jersey, humanize him, and make the fans connect and cheer for that said player.”
He emphasized that Black announcers bring a unique perspective, especially in a league where roughly 70 to 80 percent of players are Black. Jones continued, “We could use more Black play-by-play announcers. I get a little disappointed when I see the dearth of Black play-by-play announcers. Play-by-play announcing across the NBA and across sports would benefit from having more Black play-by-play announcing.”
Jones has long been one of the very few Black play-by-play voices at the national level. He was often noted as the only Black play-by-play announcer for major NBA broadcasts on ESPN and ABC for years running. Beyond his work on air, he has mentored young Black broadcasters and highlighted how shared cultural insight helps create organic storytelling and stronger audience connection. His departure leaves a gap in representation that many in the industry hope will be filled by the next generation of diverse talent.
Reactions and What’s Next
Many fans and colleagues are calling this the end of an era, praising Jones’ longevity, energy, and memorable calls. ESPN released an official statement saying, “Mark has made an enduring impact at ESPN since 1990, serving as a signature voice primarily within our NBA and college football coverage and across nearly all of our platforms.”
While some commentary over the years has been more critical of Jones’ past on-air and social media opinions, the departure itself appears amicable and entirely on his terms. There is no bad blood between Jones and the network. He simply decided it was time for a new chapter.
Jones currently lives in the Miami area and may pursue other opportunities closer to home after this weekend. He has not announced any specific plans, but given his popularity and experience, it would be surprising if he stayed off the air for long. For now, fans are preparing to say goodbye during Sunday’s Magic-Celtics game. That broadcast will surely feature a few more signature lines before he walks away from the ESPN microphone for the final time. Whether he shouts “Hotter than fish grease” one last time or invents a new phrase on the spot, Mark Jones will leave the booth the same way he entered it: with energy, creativity, and an unmistakable voice that changed sports broadcasting forever.
@espn Mark Jones on the call ? #nba #basketball #celtics #announcer ♬ original sound – ESPN
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