SAN FRANCISCO, CA – FEBRUARY 05: A view of the logo during ESPN The Party on February 5, 2016 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Mike Windle/Getty Images for ESPN)
It’s being reported that no one is safe from consideration as ESPN plans its latest round of layoffs.
Disney CEO Bob Iger previously announced that over 7,000 jobs will be eliminated across the board, and the New York Post is now reporting that ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has told heads of departments to assess their divisions and make them as efficient as possible.
ESPN layoffs are coming soon — and nearly everyone is vulnerable
https://t.co/la1M318wrs pic.twitter.com/WsYjSRp3Ql— New York Post (@nypost) March 20, 2023
The Post notes that there’s no specific number as it pertains to the layoffs or money ESPN is required to save. The company has also declined comment after being contacted by the publication.
The network has handed some lucrative contracts to its best commentators and analysts in recent years. Troy Aikman earns a reported $18 million a year while his Monday Night Football co-host Joe Buck is on a $15 million-a-year deal. First Take’s Stephen A. Smith is understood to be earning $12 million yearly, amid the company’s pursuit of high-profile personalities.
It’s been rumored that they’re looking to hire Pat McAfee, with the former NFL punter said to be considering a split from FanDuel. McAfee has signed a four-year deal worth $120 million with the betting giants but could possibly walk away.
Per the Post, the people most in danger of losing their jobs at ESPN are the ones who earn near or more than seven figures but don’t move the needle for the company.
Stephen A. Smith expects ESPN to layoff some employees
“They’re going to have cuts coming. Hell, for all I know, I might be one of them,”
(Via @MMcCarthyREV) pic.twitter.com/R0OTG21l8D
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) March 20, 2023
While it’s said that no one is safe, people like Stephen A, Aikman, Buck, and SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt are considered untouchable.
