Media

ESPN fires Paul Pierce over racy Instagram Live video

by Thomas Moore - 04/06/21 10:04 AM ET

ESPN has fired former NBA star Paul Pierce as an analyst after an Instagram Live video that went viral featuring scantily clad women who may have been exotic dancers and apparent marijuana smoking, The Associated Press and Deadline reported Monday.

ESPN declined comment on the reports, but a source familiar with the situation confirmed that the network and Pierce had “parted ways.”

After news broke, Pierce, who is also known by the nickname “The Truth,” tweeted about his prospects but did not mention Friday night’s Instagram video or being fired.

Big Things coming soon stay tuned make sure u smile #Truthshallsetufree pic.twitter.com/YIaJMcNQoH

— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) April 5, 2021

Pierce joined ESPN as a studio analyst in 2017, appearing on the shows “NBA Countdown” and “The Jump,” after a prolific, championship-winning NBA career, most notably with the Boston Celtics.

He had appeared as a guest on the network prior to being hired helping cover the NBA Finals.

Updated at 10:18 a.m.

Tags espn Instagram NBA paul pierce