20 ESPN stars facing axe in ruthless layoffs after massive Pat McAfee deal

30 June 2023 , 16:58

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Pat McAfee has joined ESPN (Image: Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Up to 20 ESPN TV personalities are set to be axed from the broadcaster due to cuts, despite offering famed sports analyst Pat McAfee a lucrative five-year deal.

According to a report from the New York Post, a whole host of big names have lost their roles at ESPN, including Jaff Van Gundy and Jalen Rose. Another big hitter also part of the layoffs is college basketball analyst LaPhonso Ellis, according to reports.

Numerous outlets have since reported that a number of long-term, well-known reporters have also been told that they'd be let go, including ESPN's NFL Draft lead Todd McShay, along with Steve Young, Suzy Kolber, Matt Hasselback and Ashley Brewer.

The New York Post report suggests that the actions have been taken by the sports broadcaster in the hope of saving 'tens of millions of dollars'. Those effected by the brutal axing include names from a whole host of sports, with personalities from the NBA, NFL, as well as ESPN's radio coverage all part of the clear out.

On Friday all ESPN staff were informed about the cuts by bosses, with layoffs said to be taking place over three rounds by parent company Disney. Last week it was confirmed that the sports channel was ending its morning radio show indefinitely, which was hosted by, Keyshawn Johnson, Max Kellerman and Jay Williams. As a result, Kellerman is said to be one of the 20 on the cut list.

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The steps to axe some of its big names have reportedly been done to help save those who work behind the scenes. In spite of the sackings, a number of ESPN's biggest stars are said to be safe, including Stephen A. Smith, Scott Van Pelt, Joe Buck. Mirror Sport have approached ESPN for comment.

Pat McAfee has left FanDuel for ESPN (Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The decision comes just weeks after it was revealed McAfee had penned a £67million deal with the broadcaster over five years. McAfee has become a huge TV star in the NFL world in recent years, most recently starring with FanDuel, as well as Fox, DAZN, SiriusXM, Westwood One.

The analyst had agreed a £94m deal with Fan Duel, but has walked away from the agreement during its second year to commit to ESPN. As a result his show will now feature on ESPN' schedule, and is set to officially begin broadcasting later this year.

More names are expected to be reported as being let go throughout Friday evening.

Joshua Lees