Kim Jones will be leaving YES after turning down several contract offers from the Yankees network, The Post has learned.
Jones had been with them since 2005, working as a reporter, and the split was amicable, a YES Network spokesman confirmed.
A source said Jones has had talks with the NFL Network, but there is no word as to the seriousness of those neogiations. Before joining YES, Jones was an NFL columnist for the Newark Star Ledger.
“You don’t leave that job unless you have something else in the works,” Jones said, but would not say where her next position will be.
Industry speculation points Jones to WFAN, where she has worked occasionally as a host, and most recently has been a frequent contributor and occasional partner with Mike Francesa.
The station’s VP of Sports Programming Mark Chernoff told The Post a full-time move there is not likely at the moment because of a lack of openings. Right now, the empty seat next to Francesa is not considered an opening.
Jones’ role, particularly during Francesa’s midday show, has grown in recent months. Jones, a Penn State graduate, has discussed the Jerry Sandusky scandal frequently on Francesa’s program and been a repeat presence during the Giants’ Super Bowl run. Jones will be working for FAN as a special correspondent from Indianapolis during the Super Bowl.
Chernoff spoke glowingly of Jones’ work with the station, and said he does hope to use more often in the future.
“She’s done a terrific job for us. Regardless, whatever her obligations are with YES, they’ve been very flexible,” Chernoff said. “I’d use her as much as I possibly can at this point, whether she’s working there or not working there. I don’t have any information on that . . . If I had an opening, I’d certainly consider her, absolutely.”
A YES Network spokesman said they are looking at several different options on how to handle the future without Jones. They did not know for sure if they would hire a replacement, or give a bigger role to Jack Curry.
“Kimberly’s been a valued member of the YES team, and we wish her well. We would love to have had her return to YES, but we understand her decision,” the spokesman said.