REPORT: “Sweeping” Changes Are Coming To ESPN
Two weeks ago, ESPN surprised everyone by firing beloved analyst Robert Griffin III and host Samantha Ponder. The former NFL quarterback had been with the Worldwide Leader in Sports for three years, while Ponder had a successful 13-year run with the company.
Now, Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports reports that more “sweeping” changes are coming to the network. According to McCarthy, those “changes” will include the cuts of five employees in management:
“ESPN content czar Burke Magnus is poised to announce a sweeping reorganization that will include naming a senior executive to replace the departed Norby Williamson, as well as the elimination of at least five management positions.
At the same time, Magnus is poised to promote several executives, and create new positions with new responsibilities, to meet his vision for 2025 and beyond. Sources say the net impact could leave roughly the same number of content positions.”
McCarthy added that Magnus could announce the changes “as soon as next week.” The report also stated that longtime network employee Mike McQuade and former NBC Olympics producer Jim Bell are among the candidates to replace Norby Williamson.
Last year, the Worldwide Leader in Sports conducted a long series of on-air talent layoffs, including longtime Suzy Kolber, Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Jalen Rose, Matt Hasselbeck, Steve Young, Joon Lee Todd McShay and Ashley Brewer.
Disney CEO Bob Iger announced early last year that 7,000 job cuts were coming in order to save billions of dollars for the company. Unfortunately, that meant saying goodbye to many popular on-air personalities.
However, the company made one notable addition last year by bringing in popular sports personality and former NFL punter Pat McAfee on a lucrative $85 million contract. The year before, ESPN signed longtime FOX Sports play-by-play voice Joe Buck and analyst Troy Aikman to take over the “Monday Night Football” broadcasts.
A Busy Season Is Around The Corner At ESPN
Things are about to get super busy at the Worldwide Leader in Sports again, with the 2024 NFL season just 10 days away. The NCAA football season is underway, and the 2024-25 NHL and NBA campaigns will begin in October.
ESPN’s first NFL broadcast of the 2024 season will take place on Sept. 9, when the New York Jets visit the West Coast to play the San Francisco 49ers.
