• Loading stock data...
Friday, September 5, 2025
Fox Analyst and Media Entrepreneur Greg Olsen to Speak at Tuned In Get your ticket now!

ESPN’s Future Takes Center Stage A Week After Major Layoffs

  • The sports media world is wondering what the network will look like moving foward.
  • Exits from longtime personalities like Jeff Van Gundy have shocked many.
Gabriella Ricciardi / ESPN Images

One week since ESPN’s drastic layoffs of prominent on-air talent, sports media is still wondering why certain names got the ax — and what the network will look like moving forward.

Steve Young, Jeff Van Gundy, Suzy Kolber, Max Kellerman, and Todd McShay are among the most well-known personalities to have departed ESPN as part of last week’s cuts.

The exit of Van Gundy — who called games on ESPN’s lead NBA team alongside Mark Jackson and Mike Breen — has been particularly puzzling. Chris “Mad Dog” Russo, who appears on ESPN’s “First Take,” speculated on his SiriusXM radio show that NBA commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN to fire Van Gundy over his criticism of NBA referees.

That theory echoes a sentiment from Bill Simmons, who was also surprised by Van Gundy’s departure. On his podcast on The Ringer this week, Simmons reiterated his previous report that late NBA commissioner David Stern stopped ESPN from putting Stan Van Gundy on its “NBA Countdown” in 2012 because he “didn’t want two Van Gundys” at the network.

New-Look Network

The conspiracies are a symptom of the confusion ESPN’s moves have generated, as well as the uncertainty over its future.

With high-profile spots for NFL and NBA coverage now up for grabs, FOS took a look at how Doris Burke and Mina Kimes could see elevated roles and evaluated the prospect of Shannon Sharpe coming on board.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

opinion

NFL RedZone Changes Have Nothing to Do With ESPN Deal

Four 15-second spots will air over RedZone’s seven hours in Week 1.

3 ABC Games Top 10M Viewers Each in ESPN’s Record CFB Weekend

Miami–Notre Dame led the way with 10.8 million viewers.

Bill Belichick’s UNC Debut Draws More Than 6M Viewers on ESPN

TCU-UNC was the fifth-most-watched college football game of Week 1.

Ohio State–Texas Showdown Was Most-Watched Week 1 CFB Game Ever

Fox drew 16.62 million viewers on Saturday afternoon.

Featured Today

Dec 21, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) gets ready to take the field prior to a game against the Houston Texans at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

How Brazil Game Fits Into NFL’s Plans for World Domination

Friday night’s Chiefs-Chargers game in São Paulo is big by design.
Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.
September 2, 2025

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
August 30, 2025

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.

TNT Sports to Try Its Own Streaming App After WBD Split

TNT Sports will have its own app as a corporate split approaches.
September 2, 2025

NFL on Nielsen’s Latest Measurement Upgrade: ‘More Work to Be Done’

The league calls its relationship with the agency a “protracted journey.”
Eagles
September 4, 2025

The Death of Streameast Has Been Greatly Exaggerated

Mirror sites began popping up Thursday, the day the NFL season begins.
Sponsored

Trailblazer Cal Calamia Is Racing for ‘Advocacy, Storytelling, and Performance’

The marathoner wants excellence—not just inclusion—to be the goal for non-binary athletes.
September 1, 2025

Lee Corso’s Farewell Delivers Record ‘College GameDay’ Viewership

ESPN averaged 3.5 million viewers, per preliminary figures.
August 28, 2025

NFL Preseason Sees 17% Jump in TV Ratings, Best Since 2018

Average audiences for the exhibition games increase sharply from last year.
Tom Brady
August 27, 2025

NFL Continues to Loosen Tom Brady Restrictions

Brady will be able to attend production meetings–remotely–this season.
ESPN
August 27, 2025

Disney Sues Sling TV Over $5 Day Passes Granting ESPN Access

Newly introduced short-term subscriptions spark a legal challenge.