ESPN Cutting Employees Today

[UKMustangFan]

Looks like Ole Leatherpants is out as well....

 

Jim Bowden‏ @JimbowdenMLB 8m8 minutes ago

 

I feel blessed & privileged to have worked @ESPN and most importantly work w/ so many great people.Thank you. I look forward to what's next

[coldweatherfan]

A few of the B1G football guys are being laid off...

 

Wonder if has anything to do with competition with the B1G network.

[GrantNKY]

I think it has more to do with the rise of FS1 and other outlets, but the loss of great talent has definitely factored in too.

FS1 gets 0.1 ratings. It has zero to do with FS1, CBSSN, or any other sports outlet. It's the loss of talent and the fact that people don't need sports news from their TV anymore.

[GrantNKY]

Wonder if has anything to do with competition with the B1G network.

What competition?

[Billy Costigan]

Russillo is one of the only personalities at The Mothership that makes me think positively of them... And Ravich... So 2 of maybe 5-6 they are cutting their roles... Nice.

[Billy Costigan]

Hate to see any one lose their job. Feel really bad for Werder getting laid off the Wednesday before the NFL Draft... and the other NFL guys or beat writers who will be laid off. I think I saw some are around until July but still.

[UKMustangFan]

Add college football insider Brett McMurphy to the list...

[GrantNKY]

In all honesty, the biggest thing ESPN needs to do it cut their bogus recruiting analysts. Those bozos are garbage. Imagine how much money they are pumping into this system to promote their garbage ratings when they could just give 247 or Scout a little airtime every time they talk about recruiting. It's a joke.

[CincySportsFan]

Some of these talking head shows now on ESPN are just terrible. And is it just me or is Jemele Hill and that whole show just awful? Don't know how anyone listens to her.

 

I make a point to not watch Sportscenter at 6 anymore when often times I left it on while cooking or playing with the dog or something.

 

Right there with both of you. The only show that I try to tune into each night during the week is Pardon The Interruption. Several times in the past few weeks I've been preoccupied when it's ended and Sportscenter has come on. Can't watch it. Just can't.

[coldweatherfan]

What competition?

 

Well, last I saw ESPN had roughly 80 million subscribers and BTN had a little over 50 million.

 

BTN is in 12 major markets. Just wondering is ESPN didn't feel the salaries of B1G analysts was justified.

[Jumper_Dad]

Well, last I saw ESPN had roughly 80 million subscribers and BTN had a little over 50 million.

 

BTN is in 12 major markets. Just wondering is ESPN didn't feel the salaries of B1G analysts was justified.

 

ESPN has closer to 90 million subscribers, but that really doesn't matter. ESPN just signed a deal with the Big10 last summer to broadcast a chunk of games, doesn't make sense to cut B1G analyst unless it's just a few and not most of them.

[coldweatherfan]

ESPN has closer to 90 million subscribers, but that really doesn't matter. ESPN just signed a deal with the Big10 last summer to broadcast a chunk of games, doesn't make sense to cut B1G analyst unless it's just a few and not most of them.

 

ESPN has always broadcast B1G games though. I think that deal gave them a higher choice of games, as opposed to more games.

 

I'm just curious if they think the B1G fans, which is a large sector of folks, are looking to BTN for analysis. Therefore, reducing salaries in that area.

 

Just asking the question.

[rjs4470]

I can't remember the last time I watched Sportscenter. I pretty much only watch ESPN when they are broadcasting a game I'm watching or the occasional 30 for 30.

[Jumper_Dad]

ESPN has always broadcast B1G games though. I think that deal gave them a higher choice of games, as opposed to more games.

 

I'm just curious if they think the B1G fans, which is a large sector of folks, are looking to BTN for analysis. Therefore, reducing salaries in that area.

 

Just asking the question.

 

Could be, that would make sense.

[John Anthony]

Weird to do all this the day before the NFL draft, kind of a big deal for ESPN.