Longtime broadcaster and Charlotte sports radio icon Mark Packer has announced his retirement from ESPN, where he has been a fixture on the ACC Network since its inception in 2019. Packer, known for his work on Packer and Durham and ACC PM, made his departure known through an X post. "Breaking News. My agent alerted ESPN this morning that I have decided to retire. Given the difficult challenges of past 3 years on both a personal and professional level, the timing is right. I can't wait to travel, write, teach & live again! Thank you for all the support,” Packer wrote. This news comes as Packer's career, spanning over Radio and TV, has been closely linked to the sports culture in Charlotte and the broader ACC landscape.
Breaking News.
— Mark Packer (@MarkPacker) May 22, 2025
My agent alerted ESPN this morning that I have decided to retire.
Given the difficult challenges of past 3 years on both a personal and professional level, the timing is right.
I can't wait to travel, write, teach & live again!
Thank you for all the support.
According to QC News, Packer's home in south Charlotte was transformed into a studio for his shows on the ACC Network. Before his stint with ESPN, Packer cultivated a loyal following with his "Primetime with the Packman" show on WFNZ-AM, commanding the airwaves from 1997 to 2010 and being recognized as the most listened-to sports radio show in the Carolinas. His influence and reach extended beyond Charlotte, as he took on national audiences with "Off Campus with Mark Packer" on SiriusXM's ESPNU Radio.
As reported by Awful Announcing, Packer’s retirement signifies the end of an era for the ACC Network, leading to significant changes in its programming lineup. His show ACC PM, which he co-hosted with Taylor Tannebaum after Packer and Durham, must now find a way to fill the void left by Packer's iconic presence. Beyond his role as a host, Packer is also the son of Billy Packer, a legendary broadcaster who covered the men’s Final Four for over three decades, tying the Packer family name even more strongly to the realm of college sports broadcasting.
Editor and Publisher highlighted the pivotal role Packer played since the ACC Network’s launch, co-hosting Packer and Durham for nearly three years until July 2022. Packer's decision to step down comes after a tenure that saw him become, the face of the network, and an ambassador for ACC sports.
