Beginning today, Jalen & Jacoby, hosted by ESPN NBA analyst Jalen Rose and longtime ESPN television producer and commentator David Jacoby, will move to the 2 p.m. ET slot on ESPN2. Their popular Jalen & Jacoby podcast also returned this week and will continue to feature exclusive content produced on weekdays.
Known for their unique chemistry and original analysis, the guys will continue to breakdown the latest news in sports and pop culture with humor, intelligence and perspective that only a former NBA star and veteran ESPN television producer can provide.
“Jalen and Jacoby are truly two of the most unique voices in sports, and the connection fans have with them is something they’ve continued to expand throughout the seven years of their podcast,” said Richelle Markazene, coordinating producer for Jalen & Jacoby. “It seems only natural that what began as a podcast has organically grown and developed into a television show that really speaks to their diverse audience.”
Now in its seventh year, the Jalen & Jacoby podcast first began as a passion project for the guys under ESPN’s Grantland banner. As the podcast developed into a hit in the summer of 2011, it grew to include a YouTube show, which then led to an opportunity to host a national ESPN radio show. From the radio show, Jalen & Jacoby grew – yet again – into a late-night TV show before making this most recent progression into the afternoon timeslot on ESPN2.
“I am truly excited and grateful for this wonderful opportunity so we can continue to ‘Give The People What They Want,’” said Rose. “I’m bringing back the bat and Jacoby promises to whiten his teeth.”
Added Jacoby: “I am honored and flattered about the decision that the executives at ESPN have made to feature Jalen & Jacoby in the afternoon on ESPN2. Working with Jalen and the staff on this show everyday has been the most challenging and enjoyable period of my long career at this company. My only concern about the new timeslot is it now gives those same executives an opportunity to actually watch the show and realize that they have made a huge mistake.”
Jalen Rose joined ESPN in 2007 as regular contributor to the network’s NBA coverage. In 2012, Rose was named a studio analyst for NBA Countdown – ESPN and ABC’s pre-game show – and is set to join ESPN’s new morning show, Get Up, later this spring alongside Mike Greenberg and Michelle Beadle. Outside of his duties at ESPN, Rose established the Jalen Rose Foundation to create life-changing opportunities for underserved youth, and founded the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, an open enrollment, tuition-free public charter high school in Detroit.
David Jacoby is a commentator and coordinating producer, who first joined ESPN in 1999. Prior to Jalen & Jacoby, he was an executive producer at ESPN’s Grantland, where he was nominated for three Emmys, one National Magazine Award and multiple Webby’s, and took home two EPPY Award victories. He also conceived and produced the feature-length documentary, Son of the Congo, an official SXSW selection. Before joining Grantland, Jacoby was a development executive at ESPN. He developed, piloted, cast, and produced the hit ESPN studio show, SportsNation, while also developing a variety of other shows that are still on the air.