I think the narrative that the stimulus for the layoffs is that ESPN overpaid for tv rights, and they now are desperate to save money anywhere is being overstated. What ESPN pays in salaries is a drop in the bucket compared to the massive amounts they spend for rights. It seems more like a business philosophy change. Ten years ago ESPN wanted to be the news source for every team, basically trying to replace local beat writers and local sports radio. They are finally abondoning that model and focusing on clickbait-style, opinion journalism that is the trend these days. The layoffs seem more anout trimming the fat from the old business model than trying to save a tiny percentage of their budget.
John Clayton is knowledgeable, reasonable, speaks at a normal volume, and doesn't try to impose his will on co-hosts and the audience....... I'm sure he was fired due to performance issues.
In the article, The layoffs could hit both on-air TV/radio talent and behind-the-scenes production staffers. “This time it won’t matter if you’re ‘liked’ or not. It’s not going to be pretty,” one source warned. Another source expects the flagship “SportsCenter” franchise to lose people in front of and behind the camera. “I see (ESPN) going down a path where they have less staff — and hire more production companies to provide programs and fill air time.”
This is good for the sportssphere. Chaos is good for growth. Yeah, SI.com gets about 40% of my online sports checking now. ESPN the other 60% out of habit. I don't give a F@&$ what Lonzo's dad did last night, ESPN.
Good. ESPN is garbage. And like @Xerobull said. I only click ESPN out of habit sometimes. I try to go to MLB.com or NBA.com or NFL.com to get box scores just because I can't stand giving ESPN clicks. I should probably delete it out of my bookmarks lol
Am I the only one that still goes to sports.yahoo.com out of habit? I still have the yahoo sports app as my score tracker.
Me too, however now they don't really produce their own content, just link to other articles. The quality has really fallen off the map the last 5 years. Yahoo Sports was my go to all during the 2000's
Sounds like a good time to watch ESPN. Everyone will be snorting lines and going H.A.M. to try to save their jobs. I can tell you who won't be fired: Katie Nolan. They have been riding her hard lately. *Inserts sex joke here*
I hope they let go of Lebatard. But because he's my favorite and I'd love to see him do something with more freedom
Huge LeBatard fan here as well. I'd love to see him in a place where he has more creative freedom, but if he were let go (which is highly doubtful, but just for argument's sake), I'd be afraid he'd just decide to walk away. I think I've heard him say before that he doesn't need the job anymore, but carries on because he likes that he can provide for others well (Stu, Papi, the shipping container) and because he just enjoys doing it.
