• Loading stock data...
Thursday, November 21, 2024

ESPN Hit By Disney-Mandated Layoffs

  • Among those laid-off is 43-year communications veteran Mike Soltys.
  • Layoffs are part of Disney’s plan to slash 7,000 and $5.5 billion in costs.
Disney is open to potentially selling an equity stake in ESPN.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m absolutely gutted.”

That was the anguished reaction of one ESPN executive as long-feared layoffs kicked in Monday at the network’s headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.

Among those let go was Mike Soltys, a beloved 43-year veteran and the second-longest-tenured employee at ESPN. 

The layoffs are part of Walt Disney Co. CEO Bob Iger’s mandate to slash 7,000 jobs and $5.5 billion in costs.

  • The first wave of layoffs in March didn’t impact ESPN, but this week’s could cost fewer than 100 ESPN staff their jobs, according to CNBC.
  • Another wave will hit ESPN in early summer, possibly affecting on-air talent, as the network evaluates everything from salaries to job performance.  
  • Chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a memo: “We will have another wave of notifications that will be completed by the start of the summer for those that are not in front-facing talent roles.”

Timing will be everything for on-air talent.

There are at least ten or so untouchables ranging from Stephen A. Smith, Troy Aikman, Joe Buck, Kirk Herbstreit and Mike Greenberg to Scott Van Pelt, Doris Burke, Adam Schefter, Adrian Wojnarowski, and pending free agent Mina Kimes. 

But everybody else is vulnerable — especially talents with expiring contracts or less than a year on their deals. The fear is that the coming layoffs could be as bad or worse than 2017, when ESPN dumped big names like Trent Dilfer and Ron Jaworski.

The layoffs come as the network tries to retain the NBA’s billion-dollar media rights against possible bidders like NBC Sports, Amazon, and Apple.

Burke previously told Front Office Sports she was optimistic ESPN would hang on to the NBA. But you never know.

“I take nothing for granted. Absolutely nothing,” she said. 

UPDATE: Russell Wolff, a 26-year veteran who headed the ESPN+ streaming service, is among those also leaving ESPN, according to the Wall Street Journal.

On Tuesday, Peter Gianesini, senior director of digital audio programming, announced he was let go after 25 years.

“Thank you to the talent who trusted me with their voice and their reputation. I never, ever took that responsibility lightly,” he wrote on LinkedIn.

Later on Tuesday, Nate Silver, founder of FiveThirtyEight, announced on Twitter that his contract was up soon. “I expect that I’ll be leaving at the end of it,” he tweeted.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

From WWE to Washington: Linda McMahon Is Trump’s Pick for Education Secretary

McMahon was the president and CEO of WWE for nearly 30 years.
A photo of Around the Horn's set

‘Around the Horn’ to End 23-Year ESPN Run in 2025

ESPN had reportedly been thinking of canceling the show since the summer.

Roki Sasaki Pursuit Could Lead to Chaos in 2025 International Class

Big league clubs may redirect bonus pool money to chase the Japanese phenom.
Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Williams Racing driver Logan Sargeant of the United States (2) during the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit.

F1 Grand Prix Upended Vegas Last Year. Stakes Are High for Its..

Stakes are high as F1 gears up for a successful second act.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Who Can Actually Afford Juan Soto?

0:00

Featured Today

Classic Football Shirts New York Pop-Up

Vintage Soccer Jerseys Have Found a Sweet Spot in the Lucrative U.S...

The money-making shirts are at the prime intersection of memorabilia and fashion.
Nov 13, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) reacts after fouling Chicago Bulls guard Coby White (not pictured) during the second half at Madison Square Garden.
opinion
November 16, 2024

NBA Ratings Rorschach Test: Buy the Dip

Was it the election? Too many threes? Lack of storylines?
November 15, 2024

Executive Decision: When Richard Nixon Named a College Football Champion

In 1969, the 37th president unilaterally named the winner of the season.
November 15, 2024

How Women’s Sports Could Change in the Next Trump Era

Under the president-elect, Title IX could change drastically.

NBA Legend Hubie Brown Stepping Away From ESPN at 91

Brown has been associated with the league for over 50 years.
November 20, 2024

NFL Ratings Hold Strong Through Election Season, Chiefs Lead TV Pack

In 2016, NFL ratings fell 8% from the prior year.
Nov 19, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers play during the second half at TD Garden.
November 20, 2024

Cavs vs. Celtics Draws Big TV Numbers in NBA Cup Showdown

The game averaged 1.94 million viewers and peaked at 2.7 million.
Sponsored

How UBS Crafts Impactful Partnerships Across Sports, Arts, and Culture

As UBS continues to expand its impressive array of sports and entertainment partnerships, the company solidifies its position as a leader in wealth management.
November 20, 2024

Comcast’s SpinCo: New Home for USA Network, Golf Channel, Sports Rights

The move by NBC Sports’ parent company reflects how dramatically the linear television business has changed.
Nov 18, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) looks on against the Miami Heat during the third quarter at Kaseya Center.
November 19, 2024

Will NBA Flex Last-Place Sixers From National TV Games?

Philadelphia is 2–11, tied for last in the NBA.
November 19, 2024

Bills’ Dethroning of Chiefs Draws Highest TV Ratings of NFL Season

The massive rating continues Kansas City’s dominance as the NFL’s No. 1 TV team.
November 19, 2024

Netflix Stock Rises Again As Tyson-Paul Fight Sets Streaming Record

The streamer says it generated 108 million global viewers for the bout.