Jeff Van Gundy, Susie Kulber, Jalen Rose and Steve Young are among the nearly 20 ESPN commentators and reporters who were laid off Friday as part of job cuts by the network.
ESPN had planned this extra round involving on-air talent to prevent further off-air staff cuts thereafter Two rounds of mandatory cuts By the owner of the company, The Walt Disney Company.
Disney CEO Bob Iger announced in February that the company would cut 7,000 jobs through either non-filling or layoffs.
Friday’s announcement is similar to what happened in April 2017, when reporters and hosts were told at one point that they would no longer be on the air.
“Given the current environment, ESPN has determined that it is necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries, and has begun that process. This exercise will include a small set of short-term job cuts and an ongoing focus on managing costs,” ESPN said in a statement. When we negotiate individual contract renewals in the coming months.” This is a very difficult process, and it involves individuals who have had an enormous impact on our company. These tough decisions, which are based more on overall competence than on merit, will help us achieve our financial goals and ensure future growth.”
The New York Post first reported the layoffs of Van Gundy and Rose.
Van Gundy has been the network’s top NBA analyst since 2007 and recently completed a record-breaking 17th NBA Finals call. Kolber has been a veteran of ESPN, including being the co-host of a nightly show when ESPN2 debuted in 1993.
She was also the host of ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown”.
“Today I join so many hard-working colleagues who were laid off. 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,” Kolber he said on social media.
Rose has also been with ESPN since 2007. He was a staple of NBA studio shows but also hosted a radio show for 11 years and was a co-host when Mike Greenberg’s morning show “Get Up” premiered in 2018.
It was ESPN’s NFL coverage and the broadcast side that got the most hits.
Longtime analyst Todd Macchie, who also contributed to college football coverage, and analyst Matt Hasselbeck were also laid off.
ESPN Radio’s morning show team of Max Kellerman and Keeshawn Johnson as well as afternoon host Jason Fitz were also affected. Kellerman also anchored an afternoon show on ESPN, but that is unlikely to continue after Pat McAfee signs on to bring his show to the network’s airwaves in the fall.
Others include “SportsCenter” anchor Ashley Brewer, radio host and ACC Network host Jordan Cornette, college basketball analyst Alfonso Ellis, NBA reporter Nick Friedel, baseball writer John Lee, and “College GameDay” analyst David Pollack.
Most of them will be bought off their contracts and will be paid their full wages. If they wanted to take another job, they would have to negotiate an exit arrangement with ESPN.
Johnson and Rose may be the first people who come to mind after Shannon Sharp left FS1’s “Undisputed” due to rising tensions with co-host Skip Bayless.
ESPN is expected to continue to evaluate its talent pool over the next year as contracts are reviewed or negotiated for renewal. It has already started some cuts by not renewing the contracts of NHL studio analyst Chris Chelios, longtime “SportsCenter” announcer Neil Everett and NFL analyst Rob Ninkovich.
While the NFL, NHL, and baseball contracts are set well into the future, negotiations to renew the rights to the NBA are expected to begin next year.