• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 9, 2025

ESPN Announces Biggest Job Layoffs in 41-Year History

  • Sports TV giant will cut 300 jobs; eliminate 200 open positions.
  • Blame job losses on coronavirus and automation, say sources.
espn_logo_on_camera
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN announced the biggest round of layoffs in the company’s 41-year history on the morning of Nov. 5.

In an internal memo obtained by Front Office Sports, ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro announced 300 jobs would be cut — and another 200 open positions eliminated. 

The job losses will hit behind-the-scenes staffers engaged in the remote production of hundreds of collegiate and pro game telecasts the hardest. FOS previously reported that ESPN was planning to lay off hundreds of production staffers.

In 2015, ESPN eliminated 350 mostly behind-the-scenes staffers. Two years later, it dropped over 100 front-facing TV and radio talents including Trent Dilfer, Britt McHenry, and Jay Crawford.

Heading into 2020, ESPN was already looking for ways to shave costs and improve efficiencies. But the COVID-19 crisis accelerated that process as ESPN and parent Walt Disney Co. struggled with the loss of live games and the shutdown of theme parks and cruise lines. 

On Sep. 30, Disney announced it was eliminating 28,000 theme park jobs, or 25% of its workforce. This week, ESPN finally reached its own “inflection point” during the “Covid storm,” wrote Pitaro.

“Prior to the pandemic, we had been deeply engaged in strategizing how best to position ESPN for future success amidst tremendous disruption in how fans consume sports. The pandemic’s significant impact on our business clearly accelerated those forward-looking discussions. In the short term, we enacted various steps like executive and talent salary reductions, furloughs, and budget cuts, and we implemented innovative operations and production approaches, all in an effort to weather the COVID storm. We have, however, reached an inflection point,” Pitaro wrote in the memo. 

“The speed at which change is occurring requires great urgency, and we must now deliver on serving sports fans in a myriad of new ways.  Placing resources in support of our direct-to-consumer business strategy, digital, and, of course, continued innovative television experiences, is more critical than ever.”

The months-long shutdown of live sports sparked increasing automation by TV networks.

Sources: ESPN Poised to Potentially Lay Off Hundreds

The financial fallout from the sports shutdown is hitting media companies. ESPN…
October 7, 2020

ESPN produces more games remotely than any other sports media company. The self-proclaimed Worldwide Leader in Sports used to send hundreds of play-by-play announcers, analysts, producers, directors, camera operators and production assistants out into the field to televise live games and events.

But the pandemic forced ESPN to adapt and innovate. Now, on-air talents call games from home. 

Rather than the traditional production truck filled with 20 or so staffers outside a stadium or arena, the games are produced in ESPN’s Bristol studios. That means jobs losses for producers, directors, camera operators, editors and production assistants, said sources.

“ESPN has embraced this whole ‘home kit’ set up thing more than any network,” noted one TV source.

But on-air TV/radio talents are not completely safe from ESPN cost-cutting plans either. The network, for example, is simply not renewing the contracts of some mid to senior-level talents, or is asking them to come back at a reduced salary. 

Unfortunately, these media talents don’t have much leverage since few other networks are hiring during the pandemic. 

“Where are they going to go? Nobody’s hiring,” said one talent agent. “My advice to everybody is whatever they send you, just sign and send it back. Just make it through this year.”

Before the layoffs, ESPN had approximately 4,000 employees based at its Bristol, Conn. headquarters, and around 6,500 worldwide. 

The cutback comes as the sports giant’s parent company Walt Disney Co. is in the middle of a billion dollar pitch to land multiple NFL TV rights deals. 

Disney wants ABC to score its first live game package in 15 years. The entertainment giant also wants ABC to join the Super Bowl rotation controlled by CBS, NBC and Fox. NBC currently owns the NFL’s Sunday night rights — paying $960 million per year — and will likely vie to keep the marquee slot, while ESPN already spends almost $2 billion per year for “Monday Night Football.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NFL and College Football TV Ratings Continue to Surge, Especially for CBS

The network’s singleheader coverage Sunday drew huge viewership.

ESPN Ends Its Wild-Card Coverage With Historic TV Ratings

Wild-card viewership surges 64% to a record in the current format.
Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”

Featured Today

Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
FARMINGDALE, NY - SEPTEMBER 23: Rory McIlroy of Team Europe hits out of the rough on the first hole during the 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage State Park on Tuesday, September 23, 2025 in Farmingdale, New York.
September 25, 2025

Ryder Cup in New York: Record-Setting Hopes and Fan Concerns

Organizers anticipate record attendance and revenue, but worry remains about fan behavior.
October 6, 2025

Mark Sanchez Charged With New Felony in Indianapolis Case

The broadcaster and ex-NFL quarterback faces up to six years in prison.
Mar 19, 2023; Miami, Florida, USA; USA shortstop Trea Turner (8) throws to first base for an out during the first inning at LoanDepot Park.
October 7, 2025

Fox Picks Up Media Rights to 2026 World Baseball Classic

The network will repeat its role in the international baseball tournament.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Nikhai Hill-Green (41) and defensive back Keon Sabb (3) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
exclusive
October 2, 2025

College Football Viewership Is Up Double Digits. Here’s Why

Average game viewership is up by more than 10% so far.
The NBC Sports broadcast team works Michigan State's football game against Boston College on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
October 2, 2025

NBC Sports, Peacock Stay on YouTube TV With Long-Term Deal

The broad-based agreement keeps NBC channels with the key distributor.
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
October 1, 2025

Alabama-Georgia Draws 10.4M Viewers, Drives Record CFB Season Pace

ABC drew 10.4 million viewers for Alabama-Georgia.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) pulls down a touchdown reception against Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (26) in the fourth quarter during their football game Sunday, November 13, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis.
September 24, 2025

Packers-Cowboys Game Is Getting Super Bowl–Like NBC Treatment

The network will bring its pregame show to Dallas.