
ESPN Layoffs Reportedly Include Max Kellerman, Jalen Rose, Jeff Van Gundy, and Keyshawn Johnson (UPDATED)
ESPN is going through a round of layoffs today.
They reportedly let go of Max Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson:
NEWS: ESPN has let go Max Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson, The Post has learned.https://t.co/VkxbmHlrU6
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) June 30, 2023
This isn’t too surprising after recent reports that ESPN was moving on from the Kellerman/Johnson/Jay Williams morning show. Max had also been doing his afternoon TV show after being moved off of First Take a while back. That time slot is reportedly going to Pat McAfee.
Jalen Rose was also allegedly let go:
Jalen Rose has been laid off by ESPN, a source with knowledge of the decision confirmed to FOS.
He was with the network for 15 years.https://t.co/gbbri0Zruz pic.twitter.com/OnonUgg3Y7
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 30, 2023
Jeff Van Gundy as well:
NEWS: ESPN has let go its top NBA game analyst Jeff Van Gundy, The Post has learned. https://t.co/GBlXcFf8WP
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) June 30, 2023
The only other name floating around right now is LaPhonso Ellis, the NBA veteran who was doing college basketball for ESPN. He was reportedly laid off, bringing the total of reported names to five.
Here’s the passage that explains why this is going down, via Andrew Marchand at the Post:
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 like 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.
If Sal Paolantonio hangs on, then great job by him. He should have been canned on the spot several years ago when he called for a Philadelphia Eagles tanking investigation. Is Sal Pal too big to fail? He’s wearing his Kenesaw Mountain Landis pants.
EDIT 1 – they got Suzy Kolber:
Today I join the many hard-working colleagues who have been laid off.
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.
Next step- a project that gives back. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/URitozP0LQ
— Suzy Kolber (@SuzyKolber) June 30, 2023
EDIT 2 – They also got Todd McShay, Matt Hasselbeck, and Steve Young:
NFL Draft expert Todd McShay has been let go by ESPN, The Post has learned.
Updated full story.https://t.co/CnOzvQbBKm
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) June 30, 2023
Matt Hasselbeck has been laid off by ESPN, a source confirmed to @MMcCarthyREV.
He joined ESPN in 2016, on the same day he retired from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/OcMosCJHnT
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 30, 2023
BREAKING: Steve Young is being laid off by ESPN, a source told @byajperez.
The Hall of Fame QB was with the network for 22 years.https://t.co/gbbri0YTF1 pic.twitter.com/ELeGqdQpIM
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 30, 2023