‘Stephen A. Smith, Joe Buck and Scott Van Pelt will NOT be part of layoffs at ESPN beginning Monday’
Stephen A. Smith, Joe Buck, and Scott Van Pelt “will NOT be part of the layoffs at ESPN that began Monday … and are expected to occur in subsequent months and years”
ESPN has begun the layoffs that will continue in the coming months and years as part of Disney’s broader plan to cut 7,000 jobs across the company.
According to the New York PostESPN will continue cuts well into the future after Monday’s start.
The layoffs are expected to come in waves and this iteration will end on Wednesday.
High-profile broadcast stars Stephen A. Smith, Joe Buck and Scott Van Pelt will not be a “sacred cow” at any point.
Instead, the sports giant is casting a “good eye” on those who take home a salary in the “$2 million to $5 million” range.
ESPN’s latest round of layoffs reportedly began Monday, with employees notified via a memo
Talents like Stephen A. Smith will not be regarded as ‘sacred cows’
According to the Post, ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro sent a memo to staff Monday morning informing them that layoffs were imminent.
“We are beginning to notify ESPN employees whose position is affected. We will have another wave of notifications that will be completed by early summer for those not in front-facing talent roles,” it read.
“As we move forward as a core segment of Disney, with operational control and financial responsibility, we must seek ways to be efficient and agile,” Pitaro wrote.
“We will continue to focus our workforce on initiatives that best align with our critical priorities.”
ESPN has spent a lot on its on-air talent in recent years, including $18 million a year for MNF commentator Troy Aikman, $15 million a year for Buck, and $12 million a year for Smith.
In fact, the company is still looking to increase its spending to add Pat McAfee’s popular podcast show to its ranks, which is reportedly considering walking away from its four-year, $120 million FanDuel contract.
“I don’t want to minimize the huge toll of saying goodbye to dedicated colleagues who have worked tirelessly to strengthen ESPN and deliver for sports fans,” Pitaro said.
“The people at ESPN, and their constant determination to get the job done, to excel and to innovate, built this place.”
The network has spent heavily in recent years on the likes of Troy Aikman (L) and Joe Buck (R)
ESPN is reportedly looking to add the popular The Pat McAfee Show to its programming