Jeff Van Gundy and Jalen Rose Among 20 On-Air Personalities let go by ESPN

ESPN cuts 20 on-air personalities as part of cost-cutting efforts.

In a bid to meet its financial targets for 2023 and beyond, Disney-owned ESPN is making significant cuts to its on-air personalities. Approximately 20 individuals will no longer appear on any of the network's platforms, including former NBA head coach Jeff Van Gundy, ex-NBA player Jalen Rose, longtime reporter Suzy Kolber, former quarterback Steve Young, and host Max Kellerman. ESPN stated that these cost-cutting measures are necessary in the current environment and will involve a small group of job cuts in the short-term, with a continued focus on managing costs during contract renewals.

While these decisions are challenging, ESPN believes they are crucial for meeting financial targets and ensuring future growth. The network's strategy involves targeting on-air employees with large salaries, allowing them to retain more staff throughout the organization. This move comes after Disney recently laid off 7,000 employees as part of its own cost-cutting efforts amid slowing streaming growth.

ESPN's cuts are separate from Disney's initiative and are driven by the network's specific metrics and priorities. Earlier this year, Disney reorganized the company, granting ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro his own balance sheet responsibilities. As contracts expire in the coming months, ESPN also plans not to renew the contracts of additional on-air staffers, potentially resulting in around 20 more departures.

Laid-off employees will have the option to seek employment elsewhere but will need to renegotiate their outstanding contracts with ESPN. The severance offered by ESPN may be lower for those who find jobs with competitors compared to those who transition to other fields. Notably, Van Gundy, who has been with ESPN for 16 years, has gained acclaim for his game commentary and sense of humor. Rose, a part of ESPN and ABC's NBA pregame show since 2012, is also a significant loss for the network.

Other notable individuals affected by the cuts include Kolber, who played a prominent role in ESPN's "Monday Night Football" coverage for over 25 years, and Young, who spent more than 20 years as an NFL analyst for the network. Kellerman, a longtime host for programs like "First Take," is also among those being laid off. Additional layoffs include baseball reporter Joon Lee, college basketball analyst LaPhonso Ellis, and former NFL star Keyshawn Johnson.

Despite the cuts, ESPN recently made headlines for hiring former NFL punter Pat McAfee, host of "The Pat McAfee Show." It has been reported that ESPN will be paying McAfee approximately $85 million over five years. The network believes that McAfee's show, which already has a dedicated following, will be profitable from day one.

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