The calculus behind the decision to let go of Jackson is not known, as news of his exit was not divulged when ESPN talent were laid off earlier this month.
"The minority investment will aim to broaden distribution as ESPN works on executing “Project Flagship,” a plan to unveil a direct-to-consumer (DTC) offering."
According to "The Hollywood Reporter," which first broke the news, the deal is the most lucrative for a Major League Baseball analyst in the history of the profession.
Borrell Associates projects that figure will climb considerably over the next four years as the industry undergoes what it describes as a "great reshuffling."