ESPN’s anticipated round of layoffs, set to be announced on Friday, has stirred up quite the buzz among sports enthusiasts. Among the prominent figures on the chopping block, two names particularly resonate within the NBA community. According to The New York Post, ESPN has made the tough decision to bid farewell to their esteemed NBA player analyst, Jeff Van Gundy, a pivotal member of the network’s revered “A team” alongside the remarkable play-by-play announcer Mike Breen and the insightful analyst Mark Jackson.
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Who is Jeff Van Gundy
Van Gundy, renowned for his tenure as head coach for the New York Knicks from 1996 to 2002 and the Houston Rockets from 2003 to 2007, has been an integral part of ESPN since transitioning from the sidelines. Notorious for his frank discontent with NBA officiating, Van Gundy has also proven himself as an effective and articulate communicator when it comes to decoding a coach’s strategies and responsibilities.
The Post’s report indicates that ESPN is considering internal candidates as potential replacements for Van Gundy, who was making a pretty penny with his multi-million-dollar salary. The likes of Richard Jefferson, Doris Burke, and JJ Redick have all emerged as plausible options, adding an air of intrigue to the situation. Another name that’s been thrown into the mix is none other than the former coach of the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers, and Philadelphia 76ers, the esteemed Doc Rivers.
As per an internal memo, leaked to various news outlets the day prior, ESPN is embarking on a journey of “small group” job cuts in the short term, accompanied by an unwavering commitment to managing costs during future contract negotiations.
“In light of the prevailing circumstances, ESPN has deemed it necessary to seek additional cost savings, particularly in the realm of public-facing commentator salaries. This endeavor will entail a few job reductions in the near future, as well as an ongoing endeavor to effectively manage expenses during upcoming contract renewals. It is an arduous process that affects individuals who have made a substantial impact on our business. These difficult decisions, driven primarily by efficiency considerations, will contribute to our financial objectives and ensure our continued growth,” the company statement disclosed.
The fallout from these changes is felt strongly by notable figures such as the venerable SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett, the NHL analyst Chris Chelios, and the NFL analyst Rob Ninkovich.
As part of the parent company Disney’s cost-cutting measures, aiming to trim global spending to $5.5 billion, ESPN has scrutinized every facet of its operations and enacted alterations in its production and public relations teams, while simultaneously bolstering its lineup of top-tier talent.
Van Gundy, at 61 years old, boasts an impressive coaching record of 430-318 during his tenure as an NBA head coach. Notably, he led the Knicks to a remarkable victory in the 1999 NBA Finals, defying all odds as the first-ever No. 8 seed to accomplish such a feat. Before his head coaching gig, Van Gundy served as an assistant under the likes of Stu Jackson and Pat Riley during his time with the Knicks, following a fruitful career as a player from 1989.
ESPN’s decision to pull the plug on the national network’s morning radio show, featuring Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams, and Max Kellerman, has also sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving Johnson and Kellerman grappling with the aftermath, as reported by the Post.
Kellerman, renowned for his spirited debates with Stephen A. Smith on “First Take” from 2016 to 2021, finds himself as one of the unfortunate casualties in this wave of eliminations. He initially graced ESPN’s screens in the late 1990s, providing expert analysis in the realm of boxing. Kellerman’s versatile career also saw him as the inaugural host of “Around the Horn” and a valued contributor to ESPN radio shows in both New York and Los Angeles, before eventually returning to ESPN to co-host “First Take.” Following his departure from the show, Kellerman ventured into morning radio alongside Johnson and Williams while continuing his afternoon slot on “This Just In,” which is set to be replaced by Pat McAfee’s show in the coming autumn.
Johnson, a first-round pick in the 1996 NFL draft, joined ESPN following the culmination of his professional football career after the 2006 season. He swiftly made his mark as an ESPN presenter on shows like “Sunday NFL Countdown” and “Monday Night Countdown,” taking the reins of the national morning show in 2020, succeeding the popular “Golic and Wingo” program hosted by Mike Golic Jr. and Trey Wingo.
Another casualty of these changes is the well-known ABC and ESPN studio analyst, Rose. Over the past decade, Rose made regular appearances on a multitude of ESPN programs, including “First Take” and “Get Up,” and even co-hosted the popular show “Jalen & Jacoby” alongside David Jacoby. What initially began as a radio show eventually transformed into a TV sensation until its conclusion in 2022. As a player, Rose showcased his skills across six NBA teams during his impressive 14-season career.
ESPN has categorically labeled these departures as “cost-saving measures” while concurrently committing a staggering $85 million over a five-year span to secure the services of McAfee, who will be relocating his afternoon show to ESPN channels and digital platforms starting in the autumn. Furthermore, the network recently inked substantial contracts with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman for their revamped “Monday Night Football” booth.
Additionally affected by these changes are LaPhonso Ellis, a prominent male college basketball analyst for ESPN since 2009, and the beloved SportsCenter anchor Ashley Brewer, both finding themselves caught in the crossfire of ESPN’s restructuring efforts.