In yet another round of cost-cutting at a high-profile media company, ESPN laid off some of its biggest on-air stars Friday in an effort to slash tens of millions of dollars from its budget.
The New York Post first reported on Friday morning that NBA game analyst Jeff Van Gundy and NBA Countdown host Jalen Rose were among those who have been let go. Star commentators and hosts Max Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson were soon added to the list.
Van Gundy, a former coach with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, had been with the network for 16 years and is considered one of the top in-game analysts in the business. He’d also recently called the NBA Finals with announcer Mike Breen and analyst Mark Jackson, both of whom are expected to remain with the Disney-owned channel.
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Rose, a former player, had been part of NBA Countdown for a decade. He reportedly makes millions annually but had become expendable after he was removed from the morning show Get Up and his daily program was canceled last year.
The writing was likely on the wall for Kellerman and Johnson after their morning radio show was recently canned. Co-host Jay Williams’ contract is up this summer.
Legendary NFL broadcaster Suzy Kolber revealed she was also among the layoffs. “Today I join the many hard-working colleagues who have been laid off,” Kolber tweeted. “Heartbreaking-but 27 years at ESPN was a good run. So grateful for a 38 yr career! Longevity for a woman in this business is something I’m especially proud of.”
Also on the chopping block, according to the Post, are NFL Countdown analyst Matt Hasselbeck, longtime NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay, SportsCenter anchor Ashley Brewer, college basketball analyst LaPhonso Ellis, radio host Jason Fitz and baseball writer Joon Lee.
“My time at ESPN is over,” Lee wrote on Twitter. “Incredibly grateful for all the opportunities I received over the last four-plus years. I got to live out my literal childhood dream job.”
Read it at New York Post
