Sports network ESPN has just made some major cuts in personalities.
The Disney company has been paying out big bucks to up its NFL scheduling, but the network has been struggling overall.
Most of that is because many of its personalities have started to get far too political, which has sent viewers looking for their information elsewhere.
To wind down June, the network announced mass firings that are taking place, and many of those being let go only have themselves to blame.
The Chopping Block
Friday morning, the list came down for personalities that would no longer have a job at ESPN.
Some of the names were shocking when you consider their tenure at ESPN.
As I noted above, some were expected, but there were a few that did knock me for a loop.
At the top of the list were Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber, and Jalen Rose.
I expected Kellerman, but Suzy Kolber knocked me for a loop, to be honest, as I have found her to be one of the few female football analysts that really knows her stuff.
Kolber sent this message to her fans…
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
Van Gundy, Kellerman, Johnson, Kolber and Rose were also joined by “NFL Countdown” analysts Matt Hasselbeck and Steve Young, NFL draft expert Todd McShay, college basketball analyst LaPhonso Ellis, “SportsCenter” anchor Ashley Brewer, “College GameDay” analyst David Pollack, radio host Jason Fitz, host Jordan Cornette, baseball writer Joon Lee and NBA reporter Nick Friedell.
This is a move that removed some of the more politically active hosts while at the same time purging seven-figure salaries.
ESPN stated, “In order to identify additional cost savings, ESPN determined it necessary to turn the cost management focus to public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun.
“This exercise will include a small group of job cuts in the short-term and an ongoing focus on managing costs when we negotiate individual contract renewals in the months ahead.
“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.”
It will be interesting to see how this is perceived by the remaining ESPN employees after the network shelled out all that money for Monday Night Football.
To beef up the broadcast, which has struggled since ESPN took over MNF, the network also signed Troy Aikman to an annual deal of $18 million and Joe Buck to a contact worth about $14 million to broadcast 17 games a year.
Source: New York Post
