Friday, November 13, 2026

Why Did ESPN Lay Off Zach Lowe, and What’s Next for Him?

  • Lowe, a very well-respected NBA writer and podcaster, was paid a seven-figure salary, says one source.
  • Lowe initially made a name for himself while working with Bill Simmons at Grantland.
Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

NBA writer and podcaster Zach Lowe was the latest layoff at Disney’s ESPN—for budget reasons, according to The Athletic. He follows previous pink slips for Sam Ponder and Robert Griffin III. 

The well-respected Lowe made over a million dollars per year, says one source with direct knowledge of the decision. Like Ponder and Griffin, ESPN brass made the bottom-line calculation that he wasn’t producing enough to justify his salary.

Lowe is also more analyst than insider. So he couldn’t slide into the void left open by the sudden retirement of Adrian Wojnarowski. 

Wojnarowski did weigh in on Twitter with his full endorsement of Lowe.

Lowe made a name for himself while working with Bill Simmons at Grantland, before it was shut down in 2015. The Ringer or The Athletic could be his next stop. ESPN could also be building a war chest to bid on pending free agent Shams Charania. No wonder the 30-year-old Charania grinned like a Cheshire cat when Pat McAfee asked him about possible offers from NBC, Amazon and ESPN this week. “Just going through the process, baby,” said Charania with a smile.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for the
Tuned In Newsletter

Get the latest sports media scoops & insights straight to your inbox once a week.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Tracy McGrady Fornt Office Sports
First at FOS

Tracy McGrady Says Magic Reached Out About Retiring His Jersey

McGrady played 4 of his 16 NBA seasons in Orlando.
Exclusive

Dianna Russini Will Seek Credential for Super Bowl Radio Row

Some NFL teams cite her association with BetUS as an issue.
Oct 20, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) brings the ball up court against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Madison Square Garden.

Josh Hart Buys Stake in Napoli Basketball

It’s Hart’s first investment in sports ownership, Napoli’s owner told FOS.
Nov 10, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Mikal Bridges (25) blocks the shot of Milwaukee Bucks forward Nate Ament (15) in the first quarter at Madison Square Garden.

‘Ridiculous’: NYC Council Member Presses MSG on ‘Ban the Scan’ Bill

Hanif told FOS she remains willing to discuss her bill with MSG.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

11/13/26 – NFL Ratings Records, Softball Players Unionize, Skubal Deal Looms

0:00

Featured Today

Soccer Football - Premier League - Aston Villa v Brentford - Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain - October 10, 2026 Aston Villa's Boubacar Kamara applauds fans after the match

English Soccer Still Inundated by Gambling Ads Despite Jersey Ban

The ban on front-of-shirt gambling ads looks strict, but it’s largely cosmetic.
West Wind Mahjong
November 11, 2026

Mahjong Mania Has Come for College Sports

Bespoke retailers are cashing in with officially licensed mahjong sets.
November 6, 2026

Can MLS Capitalize on Son-Mania?

Korea and Tottenham fans alike have flocked to LAFC’s away matches.
Pickering High School North
November 4, 2026

High School Athletic Directors Say They’re Running ‘Mini Colleges’

ADs are managing a growing list of demands from athletes and parents.
October 30, 2026

How Injuries Hit Pro Marathoners in the Wallet

Staying healthy can get expensive—quickly.
November 2, 2025

ESPN Still Dark on YouTube TV As ‘MNF’ Looms

ABC and ESPN’s college football slate was blacked out Saturday.
Oct 31, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) and pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) and pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) celebrate with the Commissioner's Trophy in the clubhouse after defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre.
November 5, 2025

World Series G7 Audience Count Final: 51M Across U.S., Canada, Japan

The average global audience for Game 7 surpassed 51 million viewers.
Sponsored

How Jeremy Bloom Is Reinventing the X Games

Jeremy Bloom discusses transforming the X Games into a global brand.
October 31, 2025

Frozen Frenzy Ratings Climb 20% Despite Scheduling Complaints

The hockey event posts a 20% viewership bump, despite World Series competition.
October 31, 2025

YouTube TV Loses ESPN, ABC Just Before Big Sports Weekend

More than 20 channels go dark on the No. 4 U.S. pay-TV distributor.
Rich Paul
Exclusive
October 31, 2025

Rich Paul, Max Kellerman in Talks for Show With The Ringer

“The Ringer” sold to Spotify in 2020.
Oct 28, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) throws his bat after hitting a two run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on during the third inning of game four of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.
October 30, 2025

World Series Game 5: Largest Jays Audience Ever on Canadian TV

Canadian viewership continues to be a major storyline of the World Series.