As America grapples with a significant stock market crash triggered by President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies, ESPN’s Mark Jones seeks to inject some humor amidst the turmoil affecting his 401(k) and many others. During a UFL game on Sunday, the Houston Roughnecks squared off against the Arlington Roughriders, broadcasted on ESPN. In the second quarter, Jones introduced ESPN betting analyst Erin Dolan for a new feature this year—live in-game betting analysis.
With the score at 3-0 just before halftime, they discussed the live total tumbling to 23.5: a stark reflection of the limited audience for UFL games during April Sundays, mainly comprised of football enthusiasts and sports bettors. Mark Jones humorously noted that the dropping live total resembled “just like my 401(k) right now.”
Mark Jones: “How low is that under now?”
Erin Dolan: “I mean, it’s at 23 and a half… It’s continuing to drop…”
Jones: “Just like my 401(k) right now…” pic.twitter.com/ayOtdRR2di
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) April 6, 2025
The recent stock market crash, particularly over Thursday and Friday, is now being compared to historical downturns, including the COVID crash of 2020 and the 2008 financial crisis. Notably, the Dow Jones Industrial Average faced a decline of over 1,500 points on consecutive days for the first time ever, while the S&P 500 experienced a loss of 10% in just 48 hours.
By Monday morning, futures remained negative as concerns deepened regarding the ongoing stock market decline fueled by Donald Trump’s tariffs. With the president preoccupied with golf over the weekend, he provided no reassurances about possible policy changes, further heightening anxiety over the economy’s potential slide into recession or worse.
If you find yourself in a situation similar to Mark Jones—seeing your 401(k) significantly lighter than it was in previous years—options to recover from this sudden financial void are limited. It’s advisable not to attempt to recoup losses through betting on UFL over/under totals.
