On 25 Jan 2022, Biden sucks <
jth...@gmail.com> posted some
news:sspvp2$ltma$
5...@news.freedyn.de:
> The price of woke!
ESPN is laying off some of its biggest stars, including Jeff Van Gundy,
Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber, and Jalen Rose, in a purge
that is expected to result in around 20 on-air personalities being let go
Friday as the network hopes to save tens of millions of dollars, The Post
has learned.
ESPN informed all of its employees Friday morning of the forthcoming cuts
on an internal website, according to a memo obtained by The Post.
The five-paragraph note did not go into many specifics.
At the beginning of Disney’s three rounds of layoffs, sources told The
Post that at ESPN, there would be “no sacred cows” when letting go of
personnel.
This has become apparent on Friday.
Van Gundy, Kellerman, Johnson, Kolber and Rose were also joined by “NFL
Countdown” analysts Matt Hasselbeck and Steve Young, NFL draft expert Todd
McShay, college basketball analyst LaPhonso Ellis, “SportsCenter” anchor
Ashley Brewer, “College GameDay” analyst David Pollack, radio host Jason
Fitz, host Jordan Cornette and baseball writer Joon Lee.
Van Gundy is considered one of the best NBA TV game analysts ever, while
Johnson signed a big contract just a year ago.
Everything to know about ESPN Layoffs
On Friday, ESPN began the latest round of its layoffs, with several big
names among the expect 20 on-air personalities being let go.
Network stalwarts Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy
Kolber, Matt Hasselbeck, Steve Young and Todd McShay were some of the
biggest names let go of by ESPN.
ESPN laying off around 20 on-air stars
Basketball world shocked by ESPN ditching Jeff Van Gundy
Suzy Kolber let go after 27 years at ESPN
It marked the third round of layoffs by the “Worldwide Leader,” with the
previous two focusing on behind-the-scenes workers.
The massive layoffs come as part of mandates from parent company Disney,
which announced earlier this year that around 7,000 jobs would be
eliminated.
READ MORE
Last week, The Post reported the network was scrapping its morning radio
show that featured Kellerman, Johnson and Jay Williams.
Kellerman makes in the neighborhood of $5 million a year, while Johnson,
is in the second year of a five-year, around $18 million deal.
Williams has a contract that is up at the end of the summer.
It is possible Williams could emerge as a replacement for Ellis.
ESPN declined comment
ESPN’s parent company, Disney, previously had three rounds of layoffs with
the goal of eliminating 7,000 jobs, which were ordered by the company’s
CEO, Bob Iger.
During those rounds, ESPN let go behind-the-scenes people, including
longtime employees like top executive Russell Wolff, PR guru Mike Soltys
and editor Chuck Salituro.
While the previous layoffs were because of a Disney mandate, ESPN chairman
Jimmy Pitaro chose to delve into talent for this extra round.
The layoffs come as ESPN added Pat McAfee with an $85 million contract.
The layoffs come as ESPN added Pat McAfee with an $85 million contract.
Getty Images
The hope is by cutting those making in excess of seven figures per year,
ESPN would be able to save more behind-the-scenes people.
Not everyone who will be let go will make more than a million bucks per
year.
ESPN will also signal to those with contracts coming up that it plans to
be tougher in negotiations.
ESPN is having another round of layoffs
ESPN is having another round of layoffs
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
It will still spend when it sees fit as in the case of Pat McAfee, whom
the network recently inked to a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $85
million for his show that begins in the fall on ESPN.
ESPN executives believe McAfee’s deal will make the network money from Day
1.
Those on-air people who were let go on Friday will likely be able to work
at another network but will have to hash out the financial details with
ESPN’s legal department.
Of importance, Disney has made ESPN its own division, meaning in November
it will break out its own earnings for the first time, which, despite cord
cutting, are said to still be quite impressive, according to sources.
As part of the un-bylined internal network memo published Friday, ESPN, in
part, wrote, “In order to identify additional cost savings, ESPN
determined it necessary to turn the cost management focus to 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.
“It’s important for you to know that these are difficult decisions,
involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. They
are based more on overall efficiency than merit, and we believe they will
help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth. Out of
respect to all involved, we don’t plan on releasing a complete list of
names.”
Flavius Spaghettini
6 hours ago
This is what eventually happens when an organization strays from its
original intended purpose and business model. Too much of any one thing is
never a good thing. Paying way too much for talent eventually backfires.
And injecting non-sports matters into the dialogue, regardless of
intentions, has its price.
https://nypost.com/2023/06/30/espn-laying-off-top-talent-to-save-millions/