On Friday, ESPN announced a new round of layoffs as the sports giant continues its downsizing efforts. It is expected that around 20 prominent on-air positions will be affected by these cuts.
Reports indicate that these layoffs have impacted well-known figures such as former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy, renowned analyst Jalen Rose, and others.
Additionally, ESPN has canceled its national morning radio show featuring Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, and Jay Williams.
In response to these developments, ESPN released a statement explaining that, due to the current environment, they need to identify further cost savings, particularly regarding public-facing salaries. This process has already commenced and will involve a small group of job cuts in the short term, as well as ongoing efforts to manage costs during individual contract negotiations in the coming months.
The company acknowledges that this is a challenging process, as it affects individuals who have had a tremendous impact on ESPN. The decisions are primarily driven by overall efficiency rather than individual merit to meet financial targets and ensure future growth.
It is worth noting that prominent ESPN personalities such as Stephen A. Smith, who reportedly earns over $10 million annually, insider reporters Adrian Wojnarowski and Adam Schefter, who reportedly earn between $5 and $10 million, as well as Monday Night Football commentators Joe Buck and Troy Aikman, who reportedly earn over $30 million together, will not be affected by these recent layoffs.
Source: The Washington Post
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