Letting ESPN Personalities Go Into Layoffs
Jeff Van Gundy, Suzy Kolber, Jalen Rose and Steve Young are among about 20 ESPN commentators and reporters who were fired Friday as part of the network’s job cuts.
ESPN planned this extra round of on-air talent to prevent further off-air staff cuts after two rounds of mandatory cuts by the company’s owner, the Walt Disney Company.
Disney CEO Bob Iger announced in February that the company would cut 7,000 jobs due to unfilled vacancies or layoffs.
Friday’s announcement resembled what happened in April 2017, when reporters and presenters were told at one point that they would no longer be on the air.
“Given the current environment, ESPN has felt it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in terms of salaries for audience-watching commentators, and that process has begun. This exercise includes a small group of short-term job cuts and a continued focus on controlling costs as we negotiate individual contract renewals in the coming months,” ESPN said in a statement. “This is an extremely challenging process involving individuals who have had a tremendous impact on our business. These tough decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial goals and ensure future growth. “
The New York Post first reported the layoffs of Van Gundy and Rose.
Van Gundy had been the network’s top NBA analyst since 2007 and recently completed a record 17th NBA Finals. A long-time ESPN veteran, Kolber co-hosted a late-night show when ESPN2 debuted in 1993.
She was also the host of ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” show.
“Today I join the ranks of many hard-working colleagues who have been laid off. Heartbreaking, but 27 years at ESPN has been a good run. So grateful for a career spanning 38 years! Longevity for a woman in this industry is something I hold dear proud of,” Kolber said on social media.
Rose was also with ESPN since 2007. He was mainly a part of the NBA studio shows, but also did a radio show for 11 years and was a co-host when Mike Greenberg’s morning show “Get Up” premiered in 2018.
ESPN’s NFL coverage and the radio side were the ones that got the biggest hits.
Longtime analyst Todd McShay, who has also contributed to coverage of college football, and analyst Matt Hasselbeck were also fired.
ESPN Radio’s morning show team of Max Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson, as well as afternoon host Jason Fitz were also affected. Kellerman also did an afternoon show on ESPN, but that probably wouldn’t continue after Pat McAfee signed on to bring his show to the network’s airwaves in the fall.
Others include “SportsCenter” anchor Ashley Brewer, radio and ACC Network host Jordan Cornette, college basketball analyst LaPhonso Ellis, NBA reporter Nick Friedell, baseball writer Joon Lee, and “College GameDay” analyst David Pollack.
Most will be bought out of their contract and receive their full wages. If they want to take another job, they must negotiate a severance package with ESPN.
Johnson and Rose may be the first two that come to mind after Shannon Sharpe left FS1’s “Undisputed” due to heightened tensions with co-host Skip Bayless.
ESPN is expected to continue to review its talent pool over the coming year as contracts are reviewed or negotiated for renewal. It had already begun with some cutbacks by not renewing the contracts of NHL studio analyst Chris Chelios, longtime “SportsCenter” anchor Neil Everett and NFL analyst Rob Ninkovich.
While the NFL, NHL and baseball contracts are well into the future, negotiations to renew the NBA rights are expected to begin next year.
