Hall of Fame writer Jackie MacMullan, one of the great sportswriters and pioneers for women that cover the NBA, has announced her retirement from ESPN on Wednesday.
The decision will take effect at the end of this month.
MacMullan, 60, has worked for ESPN since 2010, primarily as a senior writer and a staple on shows such as “Around the Horn” and “The Jump.”
Her final appearance on “Around the Horn” is set for August 31 at 5 PM ET.
“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.”
MacMullan was a Division I basketball player at the University of New Hampshire before beginning her 40-year career as a reporter.
She began as an intern at The Boston Globe in 1982 and remained with them until 2008.
She was the beat reporter for the Boston Celtics during their championship years in the 198os and became the newspaper’s first female columnist.
MacMullan also covered the New England Patriots dynasty years, all four major sports championships, and the Olympics.
She collaborated with NBA legends Larry Bird and Magic Johnson for the New York Times bestseller “When the Game Was Ours.”
Her works also include biographies with Shaquille O’Neal and UConn Women’s basketball icon coach Geno Auriemma.
“Jackie Mac” was a part of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame class of 2010 as the first woman in history to receive the Curt Gowdy Media Award.
Image Source: Jackie MacMullan @ Instagram
