ESPN is laying off nearly 20 of its biggest names in on-air reporting, according to the New York Post (NYP).
ESPN announced the company would begin cuts across its NFL, NBA and ESPN Radio networks Friday, according to a memo obtained by the NYP. The notice reportedly did not go into specifics, but there would be “no sacred cows,” an unnamed source allegedly told the outlet.
Disney-owned ESPN is part of the workforce reduction announced by Disney CEO Bob Iger in February. “We have made the difficult decision to reduce our overall workforce by approximately 7,000 jobs as part of a strategic realignment of the company, including important cost-saving measures necessary for creating a more effective, coordinated and streamlined approach to our business,” Iger previously wrote in a company memo, CNBC reported at the time. (RELATED: Disney’s Reputation Tanks After Polarizing Feud With DeSantis: POLL)
The company let go of behind-the-scenes employees in previous rounds, including ESPN+ general manager Russell Wolff, who worked at the company for 26 years, and Mike Soltys, a public relations exec who was at ESPN for 43 years.
Some of the contracted employees allegedly notified Friday will still be paid but will no longer appear on-air, according to the NYP.
Some of the biggest names included in the layoffs are Monday Night Countdown’s Suzy Kolber, SportsCenter anchor Ashley Brewer, This Just In’s Max Kellerman, 16-year NFL analyst Keyshawn Johnson, as well as former Super Bowl MVP Steve Young, college basketball analyst LaPhonso Ellis, former NFL quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and NFL draft analyst Todd McShay, Front Office Sports reported.
Today I join the many hard-working colleagues who have been laid off.
Heartbreaking-but 27 years at ESPN was a good run.
So grateful for a 38 yr career!
Longevity for a woman in this business is something I’m especially proud of.
Next step- a project that gives back. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/URitozP0LQ
— Suzy Kolber (@SuzyKolber) June 30, 2023
SportsCenter anchor Ashley Brewer is part of today’s layoffs at ESPN.
She joined the network in 2020.https://t.co/gbbri0YTF1 pic.twitter.com/qtfm0C5Qte
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 30, 2023
Steve Young, Jeff Van Gundy, Suzy Kolber, Max Kellerman + LaPhonso Ellis are among ESPN’s talent layoffs that reached an excruciating crescendo today with roughly 20 on-air personalities losing their jobs. Here’s 12 talent names identified so far.https://t.co/vDklGFMrGV
— Michael McCarthy (@MMcCarthyREV) June 30, 2023
“It’s important for you to know that these are difficult decisions, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. They are based more on overall efficiency than merit, and we believe they will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth. Out of respect to all involved, we don’t plan on releasing a complete list of names” the memo reportedly reads.
Matt Hasselbeck has been laid off by ESPN, a source confirmed to @MMcCarthyREV.
He joined ESPN in 2016, on the same day he retired from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/OcMosCJHnT
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 30, 2023
Todd McShay has been laid off by ESPN, a source confirmed to @MMcCarthyREV. pic.twitter.com/LCGGmA6yHo
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 30, 2023
NEWS: Keyshawn Johnson is part of today’s layoffs at ESPN, @MMcCarthyREV confirmed.
He was an NFL analyst with the network for 16 years.https://t.co/gbbri0YTF1 pic.twitter.com/QX2Rrdh72J
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 30, 2023
Today sucks man. So many good humans dealing with lay offs at ESPN today. Hope they all land on a cloud.
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) June 30, 2023
One of the first names made public Friday was Jeff Van Gundy, ESPN’s top National Basketball Association (NBA) game analyst, according to a separate article from the NYP. Fans and athletes have expressed disappointment at the report, tweeting that it was a “bad move” by the network. NBA analyst and former basketball star Jalen Rose is also one of the biggest names to be let go, the NYP reported in another article Friday.
Weak. Bad move by ESPN. Van Gundy called out some of the nonsense and made the games better. TNT should bring him on their studio show with Barkley, Kenny and Ernie. I could do without Shaq https://t.co/0kcNcyYvil
— Mike Catalana (@MikeCatalana) June 30, 2023
“This place feels like a morgue,” an employee who allegedly works at ESPN’s offices in Bristol, Connecticut, told Front News Sports.