ESPN sent a memo to employees early Wednesday, informing them that a series of previously announced layoffs would take place today. The number of employees cut will be around 100.
The memo, from ESPN President John Skipper, noted that the network’s new talent lineup will be announced soon. The layoffs are expected to impact some of the network’s popular on-air personalities.
“Dynamic change demands an increased focus on versatility and value, and as a result, we have been engaged in the challenging process of determining the talent—anchors, analysts, reporters, writers and those who handle play-by-play—necessary to meet those demands,” Skipper wrote to employees. “We will implement changes in our talent lineup this week. A limited number of other positions will also be affected and a handful of new jobs will be posted to fill various needs.
“These decisions impact talented people who have done great work for our company. I would like to thank all of them for their efforts and their many contributions to ESPN.”
ESPN employees were being informed of the cuts early Wednesday.
so much for donald trump's booming economy promises.
ReplyDeleteWhen CNN dumped me, ESPN approached my agent about being a sideline reporter for their NFL coverage. Unfortunately, Richard Sherman mistook me for a linebacker at my audition.
ReplyDeleteRatings must be down. No real sports stars anymore.
ReplyDeleteMy apologies to all of the ESPN personnel that are being fired/laid-off!
ReplyDeleteI stopped watching you when you got boring.
Wow, it's almost like people don't enjoy being lectured to about left wing social issues while they're trying to enjoy watching sports. Who would have thought?
ReplyDeleteIf Stephen A. Smith is one of them it will be worth it.
ReplyDeleteIt's so simple; if everything is Trump's fault, then you don't have to think too deeply about other possible explanations. Like that this company turned sports into an opportunity for lectures and scolding so consumers found other, less tedious, outlets.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bunch of double talk to explain a huge loss of viewship and revenue. Tell your on-air talent to stick to sports and stop using your network as a platform to espouse their politcal beliefs.
ReplyDeleteSuch as? It's not that deep, sports just isn't exciting anymore. NO STARS.
ReplyDeleteOh shut up. Ali was the most political athlete out there and also one of the most popular. There are simply no STARS in sports anymore and people have more important shit to worry about, like WTF the country is headed.
ReplyDeleteThey are losing a ton of money from people dropping their cable/satellite services. I hope they go completely under. No one wants politics with their sports.
ReplyDeleteDon't tell someone to shut up, Jill. That person has a right to speak. Ali was a private citizen not a television network. Do some research on the subject. This has been a long time coming.
ReplyDeleteThey let go real professional white guys like Ed Werder, Jayson Stark, Danny Kanell, Ryen Russelo and kept Stephen A Smith, Michael Smith and Jamele the Hack Hill. Let the ratings continue to free fall.
ReplyDeleteMore sports, less politics
I think Fox biggies are sitting around a table talking about how they can streamline and improve their shows. People are getting tired of seeing the same old people decade after decade. Predict there is going to be a wholesale revision from all the cable and regular networks. This should happen at WABC-AM Radio as well. I am sick to death of having to listen to those bridge-and-tunnel voices from 9 AM to 9 PM. Actually, they could forcibly retire Don Imus at 6AM!! We gettin' bored, yo!
ReplyDeleteThe reason ESPN is laying off people is because they spent too much money on right fees to the NFL, NBA, College Football etc. Those are fixed costs well into the future. ESPN President John Skipper and his management team miscalculated the future of cable subscribers. Throughout the 80', 90' and 2000's anyone with cable was paying for ESPn whether you watched them or not. Now people are cutting the cord or in the case of younger people, not even signing up for cable. Therefore, the main revenue stream is not growing, but shrinking. So fixed costs are rising and revenue is flattening. ESPN is the Titanic and can quickly change course like in the old days.
ReplyDeleteI know this doesn't fit the "political agenda" for some people. But this is why ESPN is cutting jobs. It's the only way they can cut costs now.
*cannot (quickly change course)
ReplyDeleteEverything that ESPN broadcasts that isn't a game is terrible. They have moved away from showing highlights on their SportsCenters to more commentary--which is what their basic daily shows are anyway. talk and opinion, not news. Plus they have two more networks than they really need.
ReplyDeleteI bet you're LOTS of fun at parties, Jill.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree with you. And with the poster below. They do not need so many networks. Cut a couple of those. I gave up on cable and use a streaming service instead. The streaming service comes with espn. Those companies pay for access, so cord-cutters still "pay" for the inclusion of espn. I do know, however, my nieces and nephews, who are working full time jobs, barely watch t.v., with the exception of netflix. Most of their disposable income is used to go out to eat and parties. They don't have time for television.
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