ESPN is laying off some of its biggest stars, including Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber and Jalen Rose, in a purge that was expected to result in around 20 on-air personalities being let go Friday as the network hopes to save tens of millions of dollars, The Post has learned.
ESPN informed all of its employees Friday morning of the forthcoming cuts on an internal website, according to a memo obtained by The Post.
The five-paragraph note did not go into many specifics.
At the beginning of Disney’s three rounds of layoffs, sources told The Post there would be “no sacred cows” at ESPN when letting go of personnel.
This became apparent on Friday.
Van Gundy, Kellerman, Johnson, Kolber and Rose were also joined by “NFL Countdown” analysts Matt Hasselbeck and Steve Young, NFL draft expert Todd McShay, college basketball analyst LaPhonso Ellis, “SportsCenter” anchor Ashley Brewer, “College GameDay” analyst David Pollack, radio host Jason Fitz, host Jordan Cornette, baseball writer Joon Lee and NBA reporter Nick Friedell.
Van Gundy is considered one of the best NBA TV game analysts ever, while Johnson signed a big contract just a year ago.
Everything to know about ESPN Layoffs
On Friday, ESPN began the latest round of its layoffs, with several big names among the expect 20 on-air personalities being let go.
Network stalwarts Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber, Matt Hasselbeck, Steve Young and Todd McShay were some of the biggest names let go of by ESPN.
It marked the third round of layoffs by the “Worldwide Leader,” with the previous two focusing on behind-the-scenes workers.
The massive layoffs come as part of mandates from parent company Disney, which announced earlier this year that around 7,000 jobs would be eliminated.
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Last week, The Post reported the network was scrapping its morning radio show that featured Kellerman, Johnson and Jay Williams.
Kellerman makes in the neighborhood of $5 million a year, while Johnson, is in the second year of a five-year deal for around $18 million.
Williams has a contract that is up at the end of the summer. It is possible Williams could emerge as a replacement for Ellis.
ESPN declined comment.
ESPN’s parent company, Disney, previously had three rounds of layoffs with the goal of eliminating 7,000 jobs, which were ordered by the company’s CEO, Bob Iger.
During those rounds, ESPN let go behind-the-scenes people, including longtime employees such as top executive Russell Wolff, PR guru Mike Soltys and editor Chuck Salituro.
While the previous layoffs were because of a Disney mandate, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro chose to delve into talent for this extra round.
The hope is by cutting those making in excess of seven figures per year, ESPN would be able to save more behind-the-scenes people.
Not everyone who will be let go will make more than a million bucks per year, however.
ESPN will also signal to those with contracts coming up that it plans to be tougher in negotiations. It will still spend when it sees fit, as in the case of Pat McAfee, whom the network recently inked to a five-year deal in the neighborhood of $85 million for his show that begins in the fall on ESPN.
Executives believe McAfee’s deal will make the network money from Day 1.
Those on-air people who were let go on Friday will likely be able to work at another network but will have to hash out the financial details with ESPN’s legal department.
Of importance, Disney has made ESPN its own division, meaning in November it will break out its own earnings for the first time, which, despite cord cutting, are said to still be quite impressive, according to sources.
As part of the un-bylined internal network memo published Friday, ESPN, in part, wrote, “In order to identify additional cost savings, ESPN determined it necessary to turn the cost management focus to public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun.
“This exercise will include a small group of job cuts in the short-term and an ongoing focus on managing costs when we negotiate individual contract renewals in the months ahead.
“It’s important for you to know that these are difficult decisions, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company.
“They are based more on overall efficiency than merit, and we believe they will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth. Out of respect to all involved, we don’t plan on releasing a complete list of names.”
