About 20 of ESPN network’s top on-air talent found out they would be laid off last week. ESPN is owned by Disney.
Here is the list of those reported to be departing, some of whom had been previously announced: Jeff Van Gundy Jalen Rose Keyshawn Johnson Max Kellerman Suzy Kolber Chris Chelios Matt Hasselbeck Steve Young Rob Ninkovich Neil Everett Ashley Brewer Joon Lee LaPhonso Ellis Todd McShay Jordan Cornette Jason Fitz David Pollack Keyshawn Johnson, a former NFL player who had co-hosted ESPN Radio’s national morning show in one of many chapters in a 16-year run on ESPN, is also among those leaving. Also out is Max Kellerman, Johnson’s radio co-host as well as host of This Just In and formerly Stephen A. Smith’s longtime sparring partner on daily morning TV staple First Take. Suzy Kolber, a 27-year veteran of ESPN who most recently hosted Monday Night Countdown and College Game Day host David Pollack.
After peaking at about 100 million households a decade ago, the network reported reaching 74 million homes in 2022, depriving it of significant distribution revenue. Apart from events like college football, the NFL and the NBA, which have seen robust ratings, linear tune-in has been declining for all traditional networks as more viewers turn to streaming.