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LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 8: NBA Legend Paul Pierce attends the game between the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 8: NBA Legend Paul Pierce attends the game between the LA Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers on March 8, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2020 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images

Report: Paul Pierce Fired by ESPN After Former Celtics Star's IG Live Video

Scott Polacek
Apr 5, 2021

Paul Pierce's time with ESPN reportedly is over.

According to Andrew Marchand of the New York Post, ESPN let Pierce go after he posted a "racyย Instagram video on Friday."ย 

Sportswriter Ryan Glasspiegelย was the first to report the network and Pierce had parted ways.

Ryan Young of Yahoo Sports provided more context on the video, noting "Pierceย went live on Instagram on Friday nightย in a room full of dancers while smoking, drinking and apparently playing poker with his friendsโ€”all while clearly ignoring basic COVID-19 safety protocolsโ€”in a string of videos that made waves on social media."

The former Boston Celtics star was a featured commentator on ESPN'sย NBA Countdownย andย The Jump. The networkย hiredย Pierce in a full-time role in 2017 after he made appearances on its basketball programming in a guest role.

Pierce tweeted a video of himself laughing with the caption "Big Things coming soon stay tuned make sure u smile #Truthshallsetufree" after the reports:

He played for the Celtics for 15 seasons after they selected him with the No. 10 overall pick of the 1998 NBA draft. He spent his final four seasons in the NBA on the Brooklyn Nets, Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Clippers.

The Kansas product was a 10-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA selection during a career that featured one championship.

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