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Zach Jones, who served as a research manager for ESPN, has recently died from colorectal cancer at the age of 41. The news was revealed by anchor Randy Scott during his live broadcast on SportsCenter on December 23, 2024.
According to The Mirror, Zach was associated with ESPN for more than ten years and began working with the management team in 2018. He also contributed to strengthening the programming of the network, which included golf broadcasts and basketball games.
While speaking about Zach Jones, Randy Scott said that Jones remained an important part of their live coverage and any other SportsCenter shows. He further stated:
"You may have never seen him on your screens, but you saw his work."
Scott additionally posted a clip of the moment when he announced the news of Zach's death on SportsCenter through X (formerly Twitter) and wrote:
"We remembered Zach Jones on SportsCenter this morning. Our friend, Amber's husband, and Silas's dad."
Social media platforms were additionally flooded with tributes from other personalities who have worked on the same network. This includes Kevin Negandhi, another SportsCenter anchor who described Zach in an X post as a "fantastic researcher."
Gregg Colli, who also works for ESPN, replied to Kevin's post, calling Jones an "original fantasy football researcher" who was able to handle any amount of work with a smile on his face.
Zach Jones had a long list of experience as a reporter and editor over the years
As mentioned, SportsCenter anchor Randy Scott was the first person to disclose that Jones died after struggling with cancer. He was spotted trying to control his emotions as he said that ESPN had lost one of their own, adding that Zach's colorectal cancer metastasized before he was diagnosed with the same, as per the Mirror. Randy Scott continued paying tribute as he said:
"He got married here; he started a family here. The Stanford graduate loved the Cardinal and he loved golf. He loved his wife, Amber. And he lost his dad three days before Christmas. I saw Zach in the cafeteria just a couple of weeks ago. He was hopeful, but he was also reflective."
Tears started rolling down Scott's eyes as he recalled his last conversation with Jones. He revealed more details about the same by saying:
"He said he just wanted his family to be okay after a recent move to Texas. He fought like hell. He gets to rest now. We love you, buddy."
According to Zach Jones' LinkedIn page, he enrolled at Stanford University in 2001 to obtain a degree in Public Policy. Four years after his graduation, Jones joined the California-based Coast News Group as a sports editor.
Zach Jones then joined The San Diego Union-Tribune in 2007, covering high school and college sports in North County, San Diego. He additionally served as a freelance sports reporter for North County Times for a year until 2010.
He began working as a senior researcher for ESPN in March 2010 and became the Associate Manager in 2018. After serving in the position for seven months, he came to the network's Manager Stats & Information Group.
However, Zach Jones was not active on any social media platforms and never appeared for any interviews, due to which detailed information on his early life remains unknown.
