Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Warner Bros. Discovery Cutting Back on Sports Workforce

  • Warner Bros. Discovery Sports cut more than 10% of its workforce on Tuesday.
  • The layoffs affected roughly 70 staffers.
Warner Bros Discovery Sign
Jennifer Dedman / USA TODAY NETWORK

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Warner Bros. Discovery Sports cut more than 10% of its workforce on Tuesday.

The layoffs affected roughly 70 employees across Turner Sports, Bleacher Report, and the company’s studio operations, with some open positions being eliminated.

Turner Sports, which became a division of Time Warner in 1996, handles broadcasts for leagues including the NBA and NHL and later acquired sports media company Bleacher Report for $175 million in 2012.

In an email to employees, Warner Bros. Discovery chair and CEO Luis Silberwasser referenced the changing industry.

“Our reality is we must evolve to position WBD and our sports division for long-term success against an environment that includes a challenging macroeconomic forecast,” he said.

The company will reportedly remain active in sports rights negotiations. 

  • In 2015, WBD struck an agreement with the International Olympics Committee for European rights to four Olympics from 2018-2024. 
  • It has rights to several cycling events including the UCI World Championship and UCI World Tour events.
  • WBD Sports holds rights across Europe for every Grand Slam.
  • The company also has rights in golf, winter sports, and motorsport.

Layoff List

The eliminations aren’t Warner Bros.’ first this year as the company looks to cut its spending by $3 billion. In October, six months after its $43 billion merger with Discovery in April, the company eliminated 125 jobs in its TV Group. 

Download the FOS App

The business of sports, in your pocket.

QR code to download the app

Scan the QR code to get the app now.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

A drone view shows the Paramount water tower at Paramount studios in Hollywood and the Hollywood sign, in Los Angeles, California, U.S., August 24, 2026.

Newly Formed Skydance Is a Force in Sports Media

The large-scale deal creates a sports media colossus.
David Ellison, CEO of Paramount Skydance, speaks during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon, the official convention of Cinema United, in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., April 16, 2026.

Parent of CBS Sports and TNT Sports Gets a Name: Skydance

The media megadeal is set to close on Tuesday.
David Ellison Paramount

Paramount Settles Antitrust Suit, Clearing Path for WBD Deal

The deal would have significant implications for the companies’ sports portfolios.

Paramount-WBD Merger Fight Splits Red States and Blue States

Iowa’s AG took aim at her counterpart in California.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/14/26 – Live From FOS’s Tuned In: Chris Berman on NFL’s 18-Game Push, Pablo Torre Says He’s Investigating LeBron’s Chopper, and More

0:00

Featured Today

Oct 5, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas arrives at the arena before the Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets at PPG Paints Arena

NHL’s New Wave of GMs Is Built Different

“I am in the prediction business,” Devils GM Sunny Mehta tells FOS.
Action Images/Peter Cziborra
October 9, 2026

Is Leicester City’s $264 Million Price Tag Too Rich for Hungry Investors?

After falling from grace, how much is a former top club worth?
Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer waits to run onto the field prior to the game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
October 7, 2026

Who Is Alabama Football in Year 3 Under Kalen DeBoer?

The No. 6 Crimson Tide host No. 2 Georgia on Saturday.
Cubs behind the scenes
October 6, 2026

Hollywood and TikTok: Sports Media’s New ‘Blueprint’

Teams and leagues are pouring money into the quest for fans.
October 2, 2026

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.
ESPN/ABC Monday Night Football commentators Joe Buck, left, and Troy Aikman before the Detroit Lions vs. Las Vegas Raiders game at Ford Field, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.
Exclusive
October 14, 2026

Joe Buck, Troy Aikman Have Had Tension Amid ESPN Contract Talks

The “MNF” duo had an argument before this week’s broadcast.
Pablo Torre Tuned In Front Office Sports
October 14, 2026

Pablo Torre: Not Getting Sued by Jordon Hudson ‘Kind of a Bummer’

Hudson had threatened to sue Torre for defamation over his podcast’s investigations.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Jun 27, 2026; Chaska, Minnesota, USA; Nelly Korda hits from a fairway bunker on the first hole during the third round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship golf tournament.
October 14, 2026

LPGA’s Media-Rights Deals Depend on PGA, NFL Negotiations

LPGA commissioner Craig Kessler is watching the landscape closely.
October 14, 2026

Jessica Berman Says Failed Victory+ Deal Was Risk Worth Taking

The NWSL had a deal with failed streamer Victory+.
Mike Tirico Front Office Sports Tuned In
October 14, 2026

Mike Tirico Worries About Donor Fatigue in College Football

Tirico said donors may question whether their returns are worthwhile.
October 14, 2026

NFL Will Be Selective With Game-Day Schedule, Says Media Chief

International Super Bowl is “a little bit far” off.