• Loading stock data...
Monday, October 14, 2024
The Best Employers in Sports survey is now open! Take the survey

Ongoing NFL Network Cuts Hit On-Air Talent

  • Cuts hit big names like Andrew Siciliano a week after ‘Good Morning Football’ wrapped in New York.
  • NFL Media is reportedly in talks with ESPN to take control of the media arm.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Rolling cuts at the NFL Network are continuing to hit big names. On-air personalities Melissa Stark, Andrew Siciliano, Will Selva, and James Palmer are out, The Athletic reported Thursday morning. A spokesperson for the league told the outlet that these cuts are a “normal” part of spring reshuffling.

Stark, who is also the sideline reporter for NBC’s Sunday Night Football, was an NFL Network host and reporter at tentpole events like the draft and the NFL’s annual awards show. Siciliano was a longtime RedZone host until YouTube took the rights last season. Selva contributed to Good Morning Football and cohosted the English-language podcast geared toward the Latino fan base, “El Huddle.”

Palmer, who was a national correspondent for the network, posted about the decision, saying, “NFL Network has bought out my contract and my time there has come to an end. … I’m excited for what’s to come. Not sure what that is exactly, I’ve learned a lot in the last decade at NFL Network and I’m better for it.”

The cuts come amid other changes at the network. Its flagship show, GMFB, broadcast its final show from New York last week before shipping off to Los Angeles, and it’s unclear how many of the hosts will make the move or what the new format of the show will be. The network has made staffing cuts related to the relocation, two sources told Front Office Sports last week. In early March, it was reported that about 60 staffers accepted the league’s voluntary buyout, per Sports Business Journal

The league is in “advanced talks” to sell a stake in the media arm to ESPN in a complex deal, according to multiple reports from earlier this year.

It’s been less than a year since the network laid off an unknown number of employees in May 2023. The cuts drew criticism from Robert Griffin III on Front Office Sports Today: “It’s also difficult when you see the NFL broker a deal like the one with Peacock, where they’re making $110 million for one playoff game, and then saying, ‘We can’t pay the media to continue to support their families. We have to cut back on the amount of people being paid in those regards,’ when there are countless amounts of money that’s being made.”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MLB Playoff Ratings Keep Climbing

The MLB playoffs are down to the final four teams.
Sep 15, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs fans celebrate after a touchdown by Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) during the first half against the Cincinnati Bengals at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

‘This Is My Whole Life’: How Swifties Became NFL Superfans

The “Chiefties” have arrived. And they are “fully committed” to football.
Sep 21, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) walks through Buff Walk before the game against the Baylor Bears at Folsom Field.
opinion

The NIL Era Is a Wild West. Is Anyone Surprised?

Amateurism is dead and college athletes are professionals. How’s that working out?
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

How the PWHL is Changing Hockey

0:00

Featured Today

‘We’re Ready for FBS’: Sacramento State Is Serious About the Jump

How the Hornets got themselves on the short list of potential call-ups.
Duante' Abercrombie News Ch.4 interview
October 9, 2024

Tennessee State’s Ambitious Plan to Launch an HBCU Hockey Program

TSU has big plans, but the university is facing an existential dilemma.
October 8, 2024

Ryan Smith Sees Salt Lake City As Next Vegas-Like Sports Town

Utah Hockey Club’s owner says all the pieces are falling into place.
October 8, 2024

How the WWE’s Farm Circuit Became a Primetime Draw

NXT produces generational talent—and it occupies a new prime-time network slot.

ESPN Expands ‘Monday Night Football’ on ABC With Six Additional Games

The 2024 slate of dual-network NFL coverage now looks much more like last year’s.
October 10, 2024

College Football’s Most-Hyped Weekend: Networks Set to Cash In

NBC gets No. 2 Ohio State at No. 3 Oregon, while ABC has No. 9 Ole Miss at No. 13 LSU.
October 10, 2024

ESPN’s Bold Future: Pitaro Unveils Ambitious Sports Streaming Plans

The current network chair also continued to downplay a much-used former slogan.
Sponsored

Rivalries Reign Across Red River and the Beltway, London Calling

According to data from TickPick, renewed battles between bitter foes are spiking ticket prices.
October 9, 2024

MLB Asks DSG for Immediate Clarity on 2025 Broadcast Plans

The league seeks answers from the regional sports network operator regarding the 2025 season.
October 9, 2024

NFL TV Ratings Strong Despite Dip

Most Week 5 broadcasts had smaller TV audiences than they did in 2023.
October 9, 2024

Utah Among NHL Teams Navigating RSN Decline, Rights Negotiations

Comcast declines to carry Utah games, sparking local NHL distribution challenges.
October 8, 2024

More MLB Teams Shift to League Broadcasts Due to DSG Disarray

The Brewers, Guardians, Twins opt to have MLB produce and distribute their local games.