The News
In a surprising move that highlights the challenges faced by media companies, ESPN made an announcement on Friday regarding the layoff of some broadcast journalists in an effort to save money.
According to ESPN’s statement, the company needed to reduce costs in the area of public-facing commentator salaries, which resulted in a small group of job cuts. Among those laid off were some of the network’s biggest names.
One of the affected journalists, Suzy Kolber, an N.F.L. reporter and host of “Monday Night Countdown,” publicly acknowledged her layoff in a heartfelt Twitter post, expressing her gratitude for her 27-year tenure at ESPN.
Jeff Van Gundy, a former coach of the New York Knicks and an N.B.A. analyst, was also let go, along with Jalen Rose, a studio analyst and member of the University of Michigan’s “Fab Five.” The layoffs of Van Gundy and Rose were first reported by The New York Post and later confirmed by The New York Times.
Other journalists who have left the company include baseball reporter Joon Lee and anchor Ashley Brewer, both of whom made announcements on Twitter.
In total, approximately 20 commentators were laid off, and ESPN informed its staff members that it would renegotiate some contracts at reduced salaries or allow others to expire at the end of their terms.
The Background: An Uncertain Time in Media
This news comes in the same week as National Geographic’s second round of layoffs in a year, adding to the list of media companies, including The Los Angeles Times, Vox Media, BuzzFeed, and The Washington Post, that have recently implemented cost-cutting measures.
ESPN’s parent company, Disney, has been grappling with losses related to its streaming services amidst a decline in traditional television viewership. In May, Disney reported a 7% drop in revenue from its networks, including ESPN. Earlier this year, Disney’s CEO, Robert A. Iger, announced plans to cut $5.5 billion in costs by reducing its workforce by 4% or 7,000 jobs worldwide.
Why It Matters: High-profile ESPN Personalities
Suzy Kolber’s announcement of her layoff highlights the significance of her longstanding career as a woman in the media industry. Her company biography showcases her achievements in the N.F.L. sideline role and her recognition as the first woman to win the Maxwell Football Club’s Sports Broadcaster of the Year Award. Additionally, she was inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
Jeff Van Gundy has become a familiar voice in professional basketball, providing commentary for both ESPN and ABC. Working alongside his former player, Mark Jackson, and Mike Breen, Van Gundy has called some of the most notable N.B.A. games, including the N.B.A. finals this month.
Jalen Rose gained national attention during his time as a point guard at the University of Michigan, where his team reached consecutive N.C.A.A. Division I men’s basketball tournament finals in 1992 and 1993. His involvement in the iconic “Fab Five” recruiting class made history, as Michigan became the first team to start five freshmen in the Final Four. Rose had been with ESPN since 2007.
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