According to sources, ESPN is set to undergo a significant round of layoffs today, with approximately 20 on-air personalities losing their jobs. Among them is LaPhonso Ellis, a prominent men’s college basketball analyst who has been a part of ESPN’s “College GameDay” since the 2009-2010 season. NBA game analyst Jeff Van Gundy and NBA analyst Jalen Rose are also confirmed to be among those being let go. The New York Post initially reported this news.
Jeff Van Gundy, who had been with ESPN for 16 years as part of the top NBA announce team alongside Mark Jackson and Mike Breen, is considered a notable departure. Jalen Rose, former co-host of “Get Up” with Mike Greenberg, is also part of the layoffs.
Following these layoffs, the focus will reportedly shift to ESPN’s NFL coverage team, with some significant changes expected. Legacy names are anticipated to be moving on, indicating that ESPN’s NFL coverage will look different in the future.
The layoffs will be conducted through phone calls to the affected on-air talents, starting at 9 a.m. ET. Most of the individuals being let go will receive a buyout of their guaranteed contracts, allowing them to receive their full pay despite no longer appearing on ESPN’s platforms. If they choose to pursue another job, they will need to negotiate an exit from their current contracts with ESPN, which may involve giving up a portion of the money owed to them.
Unfortunately, these layoffs are not the end of ESPN’s downsizing efforts. The network will review the contracts of its remaining long-term talent, and many of them are not expected to be renewed. This process is anticipated to take up to 12 months.
Earlier reports from Front Office Sports revealed that ESPN has already decided not to renew the contracts of NFL analyst Rob Ninkovich, NHL analyst Chris Chelios, and popular SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett.
ESPN is known for not publicly disclosing the names of individuals being laid off, leaving it up to the affected talent to share the news of their departure. ESPN currently employs around 5,000 people worldwide, with approximately 4,000 working at its headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut.