Key takeaways:
- ESPN has announced a round of job cuts that includes some well-known on-air personalities.
- The cuts are part of ESPN’s effort to identify cost savings in the area of public-facing employees.
- The layoffs of these well-known personalities is a further sign of the difficult times the network is facing.
ESPN, the Walt Disney Company-owned sports network, has announced a round of job cuts that includes some well-known on-air personalities.
The layoffs, which took place on Friday, include former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy, Monday Night Football host Suzy Kolber, former NFL player and analyst Keyshawn Johnson, and former player Jalen Rose. ESPN has not specified the exact number of layoffs, but sources familiar with the details have said that it is around 20 people.
The cuts are part of ESPN’s effort to identify cost savings in the area of public-facing employees. The network had planned this additional round of layoffs to prevent further reductions to off-air staff after two rounds of mandated cuts by its corporate owner, the Walt Disney Company.
ESPN has been hit hard by the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The network has already had to make significant cuts to its budget, including the suspension of its college football bowl game and the cancellation of its X Games.
The layoffs of these well-known personalities is a further sign of the difficult times the network is facing. ESPN has yet to comment on the specific details of the job cuts, but it is clear that the network is taking steps to ensure its long-term financial stability.
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