ESPN Layoffs Claim Anchor Ashley Brewer, Who Maintains Faith in a Higher Plan

ESPN continues layoffs, with "SportsCenter" anchor Ashley Brewer among those let go.

SportsCenter anchor Ashley Brewer has become the latest casualty in ESPN's ongoing wave of layoffs. The 31-year-old broadcaster had been a fixture behind the SportsCenter desk since September 2020, following previous stints as a host for SportsNation and co-host of the Sunday night edition of GameNight on ESPN radio.

Brewer took to Twitter to express her gratitude for her time at ESPN, saying, "I am so grateful for my time at ESPN and the opportunity to host SportsCenter. I learned and grew so much as a broadcaster and person. I will really miss all of the wonderful friends I made along the way. I know God has a plan for my life and I look forward to what's next."

It has been reported that ESPN is letting go of 20 on-air personalities in this round of cuts, which took place on Friday. The list of notable departures includes Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, and Jalen Rose.

Van Gundy, 61, had been ESPN's top NBA analyst, spending 16 years calling games alongside Mike Breen and Mark Jackson.

These layoffs are part of ESPN's efforts to save tens of millions of dollars, prompted by Disney's restructuring. As the majority owner of ESPN, Disney announced in February its plan to cut 7,000 jobs across the company, with ESPN's staff and employees being affected.

Disney's CEO, Bob Iger, stated that these changes are part of a larger $5.5 billion cost-cutting goal. The layoffs at ESPN began in April and have occurred in three rounds. However, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has initiated an additional round, trimming talent from the payroll.

According to reports, ESPN is looking to reduce existing seven-figure contracts, specifically targeting talent earning between $2 million and $5 million per year.

ESPN reportedly informed its employees of the changes on an internal website ahead of Friday's layoffs.