Internet Reacts to Jackie Mac Calling it a Career at ESPN

ESPN is losing another one of its mainstays. Hall of Famer Jackie MacMullan announced her retirement from ESPN on Wednesday, effective at the end of this month. MacMullan has worked for ESPN since 2010, primarily as a writer and a staple of the “Around the Horn” cast. The woman known as Jackie Mac has also appeared on “SportsCenter,” “Outside The Lines” and “The Jump,” among other platforms.

Jackie will make her final ESPN appearance on “Around the Horn” at 5 p.m. ET on Aug. 31.

“I feel fortunate to have collaborated with so many incredibly talented people during my 10+ years at ESPN,” she said in a statement. “Sometimes you just know when you’re ready to dial it back, and this is the right time for me. I’m grateful for the memories, but especially for the friends I’ve made along the way.”

ESPN's Jackie MacMullan has announced her retirement.

A staple of NBA coverage for 40 years, MacMullan became the first woman to win the Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Basketball HOF in 2010 🏅

Her final appearance will be on 'Around the Horn' on August 31st. pic.twitter.com/WHvKICCQqc

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) August 18, 2021

Twitter reacted:

Farewell to one of the enduring forces and icons of our industry — Jackie MacMullan is retiring from ESPN. Incredible talent, incredible friend. There will never be another Jackie Mac. https://t.co/Lu6ip13xiD

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 18, 2021

Jackie MacMullan, one of the most accomplished and respected journalists in sports, is retiring from ESPN at the end of the month.

Thank you, Jackie 👏 pic.twitter.com/QpGny2O51W

— ESPN (@espn) August 18, 2021

Jackie Mac is the ultimate role model. Full stop.

Cool, informed, confident. When she has an opinion, you’re listening bc you know there’s weight behind it.

Wishing Jackie all the best as she walks away—on her own terms, still at the top of her game ❤️https://t.co/h1L7ShTyxB

— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) August 18, 2021

Jackie MacMullan, the influential former Globe columnist and Celtics reporter, is retiring from ESPN at the end of the month. Her final day is August 31.

— Chad Finn (@GlobeChadFinn) August 18, 2021

Wow. It's hard to fit this into 280 characters. But…

Jackie MacMullan has been a special person in our business for a long time.

So smart. So warm. A beautiful way with words. A fantastic reporter and interviewer. A pioneer. A friend. A mentor to so many. Miss her already! https://t.co/5iqeO7GUAJ

— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) August 18, 2021

Longtime NBA writer Jackie MacMullan is retiring, per ESPN. Her last day is Aug. 31. "Sometimes you just know when you’re ready to dial it back, and this is the right time for me," she said in a statement.

All the best to Jackie who is not on Twitter.

— Jeff Zillgitt (@JeffZillgitt) August 18, 2021

Congrats to the great Jackie MacMullen, who is retiring from ESPN. Big East coaches (back when it was the real Big East) treated her like royalty. One of the great sports journalists of all time and endlessly gracious. A Globe Hall of Famer.https://t.co/cxeRTihvg0

— Pete Abraham (@PeteAbe) August 18, 2021

Jackie MacMullan is awesome. One of the best to do it. I wish her well in retirement

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) August 18, 2021

A look at the New York Knicks and their recent contracts. Some thoughts on the legendary Jackie MacMullan (although she’s not on social media!) https://t.co/Blai85p84C

— Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) August 18, 2021

Jackie MacMullan still throws 95 on the black so this is surprising. Her palpable energy in person is my favorite quality. Those folks are irresistibly fun. My guess is we will still see her a bit. But now Jackie has more time for @guster show. Swish. Two points for honesty. https://t.co/e8SFZODKf8

— House of Bucci Mane (@Buccigross) August 18, 2021

Sometimes as a youngster in this biz you meet someone who is elite in your profession. And when you get the nerve to say hi and introduce yourself you find they are kind, courteous, elite in every way. That’s Jackie MacMullan. Congrats on a wonderful career and many thanks. https://t.co/VaC1M3V5Mq

— Sweeny Murti (@YankeesWFAN) August 18, 2021

Jackie MacMullan, one of the most accomplished & respected journalists in sports, will retire from ESPN at the end of the month

Jackie appears Wednesday at 3p ET on #TheJump

Her final ESPN appearance is Tues, Aug. 31 on @AroundtheHorn

Thank you, Jackie!https://t.co/bI5gJJVCad pic.twitter.com/STfsIU5Uqk

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) August 18, 2021

Jackie MacMullan always treated everyone in this sportswriting field of ours with respect and dignity. Put simply, there are few like her. Maybe no others like her, come to think of it.

Wishing her all the best in her retirement.

— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) August 18, 2021

Jackie MacMullan one of the greats – super talented – opened doors for women everywhere give that woman her adoration , respect and most importantly her flowers 💐 !!!!! Can’t find her twitter somone please send this to her

— Rich Dollaz (@richdollaz) August 18, 2021

Great basketball analyst. Great person. And a pioneer. 🏀🏀🏀 https://t.co/dxavvk26Ms

— carolynryan 🏳️‍🌈🏓 (@carolynryan) August 18, 2021

Congrats to one of the best ever in our business! And as great as she’s been throughout her work career, she’s an even better person. Great to work with, chat about family, and always helping others! Best of luck in retirement Jackie! You’ll be missed!

https://t.co/rbQoAfBpDX

— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) August 18, 2021

I have always admired Jackie MacMullan's work from afar.

Don't know her, but always seemed like the real deal.

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) August 18, 2021

One of the best, and most talented, people I have ever had to honor to work with. And, as good as she is at her job, Jackie is an even better person. Congrats on an amazing career!https://t.co/bBV2s0QaoR

— Tom Caron (@TomCaron) August 18, 2021

Congratulations to Jackie MacMullan – an incredible career! https://t.co/15QzhGFWrG

— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) August 18, 2021

Happy trails to my dear friend the indomitable Jackie Mac; a brilliant journalist, a relentless pioneer, and the kindest of souls https://t.co/4WZcKP8sHP

— Bill Plaschke (@BillPlaschke) August 18, 2021

Met her at the Final Four in Lexington in ‘85, to say she was “holding her own” in hoops with the fellas is a crass understatement. A remarkable career, good friend, great person…and she did it all without Twitter. https://t.co/hcz38fY03b

— Tim Cowlishaw (@TimCowlishaw) August 18, 2021

Jackie is a newspaper reporter at heart. She learned from some of the best, including Bob Ryan, and was a force on the NBA beat. Got to know her even better the last decade and all she does is bust my chops on TV. Love it. (And…she’s not on Twitter so she’ll never see this) https://t.co/P8L9BKkagh

— Frank Isola (@TheFrankIsola) August 18, 2021

I think you know what Jackie means to this industry- I’ll be brief here & more expansive on @AroundtheHorn on Aug 31.

I have to believe Jackie has only given us hints of how difficult it was being among the first women in the newsroom/clubhouse/lockerroom. And difficult isn’t https://t.co/lY61V4KNay

— Tony Reali (@TonyReali) August 18, 2021

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Jackie Mac was one of the best to ever do it, hopefully she won’t retire retire.

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