ESPN, now owned by Disney, announced Friday morning that the company will be releasing about 20 of its own live broadcast shows that will no longer be shown on any of the network’s platforms.
Some of the most logical cuts were topped by former NBA athlete Jalen Rose and famous league coach turned game analyst Jeff Van Gundy.
“Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it is necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries, and has begun that process,” the network released in a statement. “This exercise will include a small set of short-term job cuts and a continued focus on cost management as we negotiate individual contract renewals in the coming months.”
Some podcast personalities have already started covering the scene where more layoffs are expected soon:
“This is a very difficult process, involving individuals who have had an enormous impact on our company,” ESPN stated. “These tough decisions, based more on overall competence than on merit, will help us achieve our financial goals and ensure future growth.”
According to their statements, the discharges are part of a strategic effort to achieve their financial goals for this year and those to come. Their on-air employees represent some of the highest salaries in ESPN, and their release will allow the company to keep their permanent staff in their organization.
The Disney operation has also had to yield several rounds of layoffs in recent months, which have approached 7,000 workers fired. According to sources, these decisions came after a specific need to boost free cash flow, especially since they’re considering buying ownership in Comcast’s minority stake in the Hulu platform, which should happen next year.
More discharges into the network are expected over the following months
While more information is being shown online, we understand that other special broadcasters dear to the network have also been fired. One of them is Susie Kolber, who took over hosting “Monday Night Countdown” from Stuart Scott in 2014, in addition to other NFL and college football duties.
“Today I join many hard-working colleagues who have been laid off,” she recently wrote on Twitter. “Heartbreaking – but 27 years at ESPN has been a good run. So grateful to have worked for 38 years! I am especially proud of the longevity of women in this business.”
These cutbacks at ESPN reportedly differed from the start-up initiatives that founded the company based on its own set of expectations and goals. However, once Disney began its ownership, they reorganized the network earlier this year and gave Chairman Jimmy Pitaro a new set of priorities.
The organization also expects to renew some workers’ over-the-air deals that weren’t cut and should expire in the coming months. It also means that not all contracts will be renegotiated, so it will end up with at least 20 or more departures soon.