01 August 2023 , 16:54
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ESPN have made a number of layoffs with several of the biggest and most recognisable names in the US sports media losing their jobs with more likely to follow.
Earlier this year, Disney - the parent company of the major sports network - announced that approximately 7,000 members of staff were to be laid off. This news emerged despite company profits soaring by 56 percent to $12.1 billion last year.
ESPN have therefore undergone a number of cost-cutting measures since the end of June, with over 20 members of the network’s on-air team relieved of their duties in order to cut costs. The layoffs followed those by other US media companies such as CNN, The Athletic and National Geographic with leading names such as Jalen Rose, Jeff Van Gundy and Keyshawn Johnson let go.
The ongoing layoffs claimed their next victim in the form of Mark Jackson, the former NBA star-turned-analyst. According to the New York Post, Jackson had two years remaining on his current deal after he had returned to ESPN to work alongside Van Gundy and Mike Breen in 2014.
ESPN considered retaining Jackson as part of a ‘B’ broadcast team with Mark Jones, but executives are high on former NBA stars JJ Redick and Richard Jefferson as game analysts and are looking to push them towards a more prominent platform. The network also reportedly believe Jackson’s effectiveness is linked to Van Gundy, who is considered one of the best game analysts in the sport.
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Long-time NBA head coach Doc Rivers and Doris Burke are expected to replace Jackson and Van Gundy as lead broadcast partners.
In amongst the changes, ESPN announced in May that Pat McAfee was moving his popular show to the network on a five-year deal worth $85 million.
ESPN recently released a statement which claimed the cuts were necessary in order to meet ‘financial targets’.
“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. 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.
“This is an extremely challenging process, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. These difficult decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth.”
Mark Jackson is the latest leading name to be cut by ESPN as the company attempts to change tact (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)Below is a full list of the ESPN staff members who have been laid off as a result of cuts at the US sports network.
Full list of ESPN Layoffs
- Andre Ward, Boxing analyst
- Ashley Brewer, SportsCenter anchor
- Chris Chelios, NFL analyst
- David Pollack, College football analyst
- Doug Kezirian, betting analyst
- Gene Wojciechowski, college
- Jalen Rose, NBA analyst
- Jason Fitz, radio host
- Jeff Van Gundy, NBA broadcaster
- Joon Lee, staff writer
- Jordan Cornette, college basketball analyst
- Keyshawn Johnson, NFL analyst
- LaPhonso Ellis, college basketball analyst
- Mark Jackson, NBA broadcaster
- Matt Hasselbeck, NFL analyst
- Max Kellerman, Ex-“First Take” co-host
- Neil Everett, SportsCenter anchor
- Nick Fridell, NBA reporter
- Rob Ninkovich, NFL analyst
- Steve Young, NFL analyst
- Suzy Kolber, NFL host
- Todd McShay, NFL Draft analyst