Media MonsterNBATabloid Fodder

Mark Jackson On His Affair: “I Made Some Egregious Errors”

Well, you knew a statement from Mark Jackson on today’s rather embarrassing revelations about him was coming – once the news went public, he couldn’t ignore it. Sure enough, he didn’t, and he released a statement on the matter earlier today. It reads:

My family and I were the victims of an extortion scheme.

The scheme began on April 3, 2012, when the Warriors were in Memphis to play the Grizzlies. A man approached me at the team hotel with personal information which he threatened to sell to a tabloid. At the time, he demanded a substantial sum of money. Regrettably, I paid him. In retrospect, I understand that this was a terrible lapse in judgment and a course of action I would not recommend to anyone.

Following the encounter in Memphis – a little over two weeks later – the extortionist sent an e-mail and phoned my wife, Desiree, making threats and demanding additional money. At that point, I informed the Warriors about the situation and asked for their guidance. We immediately notified the FBI, which promptly began an investigation.

The personal information in the extortion scheme related to a woman that I, mistakenly, had an extra-marital relationship with six years ago – prior to joining the Warriors – when I was a TV sports analyst. I made my wife aware of the relationship at that time, apologized to her and we reconciled. Obviously, my self-centered transgression at that time is not something I’m proud of, but I’m blessed to have an incredible wife, mother and partner and I thank the Lord for her each day.

I recognize the extremely poor judgment that I used both in having an affair six years ago – including the embarrassing communication I exhibited during that time – and in attempting to deal with the extortion scheme at first by myself. I made some egregious errors. I apologize for any embarrassment I may have caused my family, friends and, of course, the Warriors.

At that time in my life, I was not pastoring. Three years ago, my wife and I established a ministry. With deepest regret, I want to apologize to my Church Family.

I was wrong. We must live Holy.

Of course, given Jackson’s public piety, one of the natural reactions is to laugh at him for getting involved with an ex-stripper. Perfectly understandable. But, as Kurt Helin said at Pro Basketball Talk, it’s also Jackson’s business. The affair happened before he was employed by the Warriors. As he was eager to point out, it was before he started his ministry. It was an unquestionably huge mistake Jackson made, and he’s paying for it now in public humiliation.

But he’s also, well, a victim. Extortion’s a crime even when the person you’re trying to extort from put themselves in a bad position by being an idiot (which we have to think is how a not-insignificant percentage of extortion cases start, with people being idiots). The Warriors realize that, and that’s why they put out a statement of their own today, saying they “fully support Coach Jackson during this time.” As they should. Jackson made a bad move, but it’s in the past now. As easy to make fun of him as it is, if his wife can forgive him, no reason everyone else can’t, either.

Getty photo, by Ezra Shaw