These difficult decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth.”ĭisney has put immense pressure on ESPN to cut costs, and the thought from management is that cutting high-profile salaries via layoffs or not re-signing talent (which is going to happen over the next six months) will save many jobs behind the scenes. This is an extremely challenging process, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. “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. “Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun,” the company said in a statement. More names will come out, around 20 front-facing talent names in total, including from the NFL group. Suzy Kolber announced she too was part of it. NBA analyst Jalen Rose is also part of the layoffs, The Athletic confirmed. You’ve already seen the news of beloved anchor Neil Everett and NHL analyst Chris Chelios. Van Gundy is part of a round of layoffs that will include well-known names across ESPN, including its NFL staff. He did not see it coming, nor did the millions of basketball viewers who have watched him over the years. He confirmed the news to The Athletic the New York Post was first with the report. On Friday morning, Van Gundy was informed by ESPN management that he was being let go despite still having time on his contract. So I’m just incredibly grateful for this opportunity.” You have to be grateful for what you have at that moment because it can change at any time. Change happens all the time in every sport. You also know it’s hard in this profession to keep a job. But for me, that didn’t really matter as much as I just needed a job and I needed it to be where I had flexibility. You’re surrounded by friends, and you get to do the games with people who are great at their jobs. (Play-by-play voice) Mike Breen and (co-commentator) Mark Jackson took me in long ago, and I’ve had the same boss in (vice president of production) Tim Corrigan the whole time. Sometimes you have to just be eternally grateful for the opportunity. “What started out as sort of a waystation because of some family things and kids and all that between coaching stops, now it’s turned into this secondary profession. “It catches up to you really quick,” Van Gundy said. When the topic came up that the Heat-Nuggets series would be his 17th NBA Finals as an analyst, the most NBA Finals called for any television analyst in history, he got introspective. “Or I’d reduce it to five minutes so you could go to the bathroom and come back out.” Smith, Scott Van Pelt, Joe Buck and some other big names are not at risk, there are expected to be decades-long on-air talent let go.“I think halftime is the biggest waste of time,” Van Gundy said, laughing. Although, he notes that the top tier of ESPN personalities are safe. There are likely to be around 20 employees who wind up being let go by ESPN by the end of the day, according to Marchand. Gene Wojciechowski | College GameDay reporterĪ lot of massive names in the ESPN sphere, and particularly within the company’s NBA coverage.Doug Kezirian | Daily Wager host and sports betting insider.Jordan Cornette | ACC Network host and college basketball analyst.Matt Hasselbeck | NFL Countdown analyst.Suzy Kolber | NFL Monday Night Countdown host.Joon Lee | Staff writer and on-air personality.LaPhonso Ellis | College basketball analyst.Keyshawn Johnson | Radio and TV personality.
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