ESPN’s massive layoffs are affecting those that don’t even work at the network anymore.
Several big names were among Friday’s exodus of on-air talent, including hotel likes of Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Todd McShay, Suzy Kolber and Jalen Rose in the Worldwide Leader’s third round of layoffs.
For some of ESPN’s former personalities, it was a tough scene to watch.
“Sending much love to my friends & former ESPN colleagues today. Today sucks. No way around that,” fantasy football expert Matthew Berry tweeted, before offering a glimmer of hope in a dark day for sports media.
“But what I will tell you is – esp for those in front of the camera-there is an incredible amount of opportunity out there. Last year at NBC was the best year of my career. Godspeed.”
Berry, who left ESPN after 15 years as the outlet’s lead fantasy football analyst for a spot at NBC Sports in Aug. 2022, was not alone in his sentiments.
Everything to know about ESPN Layoffs
On Friday, ESPN began the latest round of its layoffs, with several big names among the expect 20 on-air personalities being let go.
Network stalwarts Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber, Matt Hasselbeck, Steve Young and Todd McShay were some of the biggest names let go of by ESPN.
It marked the third round of layoffs by the “Worldwide Leader,” with the previous two focusing on behind-the-scenes workers.
The massive layoffs come as part of mandates from parent company Disney, which announced earlier this year that around 7,000 jobs would be eliminated.
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“Having been through a couple layoffs at ESPN, I know how difficult today is,” Jemele Hill, a former “SportsCenter” host who left the network in 2018, tweeted Friday afternoon. “Wishing my former colleagues the best. I know they’ll find their place.”
Due to the nature of her ESPN exit — Hill, now a contributing writer to The Atlantic, ran afoul of the outlet’s social media guidelines and was removed from her on-air position — she was able to offer up some insight to the bigger picture of the layoffs.
“Also not great when people play the why this person and not that person game,” she wrote. “Realize that when certain on-air latent lose their jobs, that has a significant impact on the production staff, who are not protected the same way on-air talent is.
“Someone’s show going away means producers, tech folks, etc., could lose their jobs too. So try not to be so giddy about it.”
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