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Ivan Maisel Among ESPN Layoffs, as Bob Ley Rips Network for Cuts
Published:
Longtime ESPN college football writer Ivan Maisel is among the 300 people being laid off by the network in the most recent round of wide-ranging cuts:
In his words:
I came to work at ESPN 18 years ago today, on Nov. 5, 2002, as the first college football writer at https://t.co/01M4kGwztH. On the day that my employment became an adult, ESPN informed me that upon expiration of my contract on Jan. 31, I will no longer be working here. 1/
— Ivan Maisel (@Ivan_Maisel) November 5, 2020
That’s a bummer. Maisel had been there forever. His college football stuff was always very good and might have been appreciated more outside of Philadelphia, since the sport isn’t very big here.
Some of the other layoffs include web writers and folks who worked behind the scenes, some as part of remote production:
Sad to say I am one of those caught in ESPN’s cuts today. Could not be more thankful to have had the chance to work with some incredible people. Got to live my dream for a few years and do some of the best work of my career. Still have some stuff coming before I’m done, too.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) November 5, 2020
I'm sorry to report that I was one of the hundreds of people who lost their job at ESPN today. I have nothing but affection for everyone I worked with there the past 10 years. If anyone needs a tireless editor who's passionate about storytelling, reach me at: wenger.ty@gmail.com.
— Ty Wenger (@TyWenger) November 5, 2020
Meantime, retired anchor Bob Ley, who was with ESPN from 1979 until 2019, ripped the network on Twitter:
Trying to remain objective and unemotional as I learn of the @espn team members laid off today. Not possible. Not as I see countless decades of journalistic experience, and expertise jettisoned. Just when we need it most. Enjoy the DIS stock price and your NFL football.
— Bob Ley (@BobLeyESPN) November 5, 2020
That’s pretty damning stuff from a guy who was the face of the network and one of its most respected voices over the years.
Kevin has been writing about Philadelphia sports since 2009. He spent seven years in the CBS 3 sports department and started with the Union during the team's 2010 inaugural season. He went to the academic powerhouses of Boyertown High School and West Virginia University. email - k.kinkead@sportradar.com