MSG Networks planned on having Jackson occasionally fill in for Clyde Frazier this season, but Knicks management, led by team president Leon Rose, put a kibosh on the arrangement in part due to an …
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MSG Network planned on having Jackson occasionally fill in for Clyde Frazier this season, but Knicks management, led by team president Leon Rose, put a kibosh on the arrangement in part due to an old quarrel with Jackson and an assistant coach, according to sources.
We weren’t able to work something out this season,” an MSG Network spokesman told The Post.
The Knicks declined comment. Jackson did not return messages seeking comment.
In 2014, Darren Erman, a current Knicks assistant, was fired by Jackson — then Golden State’s head coach — with Erman an assistant on his staff.
An ESPN report shortly after stated that Erman
had taped Jackson and players unbeknownst to them.
Jackson later called Erman’s actions “inexcusable.” Jackson was fired by Golden State later that year.
Rose was the final decision maker behind not allowing Jackson on the team plane, hotel or team bus, according to sources. All other TV broadcasters are permitted to travel and room with the team, though there is generally little intermingling. Rose does not speak to the media.
Jackson was expected to call all of the Knicks’ five games on their current trip. He was not expected to make extra money as he was being paid an offset off the money that ESPN still owed him.
Jackson and his agent went through all the appropriate channels to make a deal with MSG Network possible, because ESPN had to sign off on the agreement.
MSG Network looked into reuniting Jackson and Van Gundy with Breen. A Van Gundy deal never came to fruition and
he is now consulting for the Celtics. Jackson and MSGN were able to agree to terms on what would have been a limited schedule before the Knicks stepped in.
The setup between teams’ announcers and the coaches and players generally maintains that there is not much interaction. In most cases, broadcasters, coaches and players are separated on team buses and the plane. The announcers, in most cases, stay at the team hotel.
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.