Magic Johnson Will No Longer Cover the NBA for ESPN (Updated)

He's outta there.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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For the last five years, Magic Johnson has worked closely with ESPN as a part of their team that regularly covers the NBA. But Magic has decided to fall back this season and will no longer be a part of ESPN's NBA-related broadcasts. Earlier today, he announced that he will be leaving ESPN in order to focus on other commitments that he has.

"I love ESPN," he said in a statement released a short time ago. "Unfortunately, due to the nature of my schedule and other commitments, I don't feel confident that I can continue to devote the time needed to thrive in my role. I will always feel a strong connection to the ESPN family and I enjoyed working with them very much."

We'll miss all of Magic's #MagicJohnsonAnalysis before, during, and after NBA games.

UPDATE:

Deadspin is now reporting that Magic didn't simply leave because of other commitments. They also talked to an ESPN source, who informed them that Bill Simmons' growing role with ESPN's NBA Countdown is another reason that he's not going to be working with ESPN anymore. Magic apparently doesn't like that ESPN has given Simmons a lot of power as it pertains to ESPN's NBA coverage.

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[via ESPN]

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