The face of the ACC Network is stepping down from his post with ESPN, as Mark Packer announced late Thursday evening that he has decided to retire. He has served as a host on the ACC Network, owned by ESPN, since the network began in 2019. Additionally, Packer co-hosted the Packer and Durham morning show on the network for nearly three years, ending in July of 2022.
In a social media post, Packer made the announcement of his retirement from ESPN.
“Breaking news. My agent alerted ESPN this morning that I have decided to retire,” Packer posted via X. “Given the difficult challenges of past three years on both a personal and professional level, the timing is right.”
Packer, the son of sportscaster Billy Packer, oversaw the radio and television networks at Clemson University and the University of Maryland following the completion of his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Clemson. Furthermore, he was also a broadcast consultant for LSU before moving to Charlotte, where he formed the sports marketing company Time-Out Sports.
He also hosted several television shows, including a daily sports program on WMYT-TV in Charlotte. Eventually, he found his home on WFNZ in Charlotte, where he hosted PrimeTime with the Packman from 1997–2010. In January of 2011, Packer began hosting College Basketball Today on SiriusXM and was later elevated to hosting several radio programs for the satellite radio outlet.
One of the original hires by ESPN for the ACC Network, Packer transitioned to hosting the launch of ACC PM with Taylor Tannebaum in August of 2022 following the conclusion of Packer and Durham. Then, one year later, ACC PM began traveling to campuses around the ACC on Football Fridays with ACC Huddle, where Packer, alongside EJ Manuel, Eric Mac Lain, and Mark Richt, would look ahead to the weekend of college football in the ACC.
Packer is a native of Winston-Salem, NC, and now looks ahead to enjoying life post-ESPN.
“I can’t wait to travel, write, teach & live again,” Packer posted to X. “Thank you for all the support.”
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