Here’s Updated The List Of On-Air Talent Who Were Let Go

UPDATED, July 31: Longtime ESPN NBA announcer Mark Jackson has joined the ranks of on-air talent laid off of late by the network. Almost exactly a month ago, Jackson’s broadcast partner (and former coach) Jeff Van Gundy was among the 20-odd boldfaced names let go by the network. See the list below. Since then, speculation has abounded about Jackson’s fate. That speculation came to an end today.

PREVIOUSLY, June 30: On the same day ESPN ran special extended coverage of player comings and goings during NBA Free Agency, about 20 of the network’s top on-air talent found out they would be on the move, as well.

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A person familiar with the cutbacks told Deadline they are unrelated to the multi-round Disney layoffs implemented in recent months. The source indicated that many of those affected by the new cuts have contracts beyond June 30 and will be paid out accordingly, but parting ways will enable ESPN to avoid wider layoffs.

Here is the list of those reported to be departing, some of whom had been previously announced:

Jeff Van Gundy

Jalen Rose

Keyshawn Johnson

Max Kellerman

Suzy Kolber

Chris Chelios

Matt Hasselbeck

Steve Young

Rob Ninkovich

Neil Everett

Ashley Brewer

Joon Lee

LaPhonso Ellis

Todd McShay

Jordan Cornette

Jason Fitz

David Pollack

Below are some of the tweets from on-air talent announcing their departures.

Today I join the many hard-working colleagues who have been laid off.

Heartbreaking-but 27 years at ESPN was a good run.

So grateful for a 38 yr career!

Longevity for a woman in this business is something I’m especially proud of.

Next step- a project that gives back. ❤️

— Suzy Kolber (@SuzyKolber) June 30, 2023

I am so grateful for my time at ESPN and the opportunity to host Sportscenter. I learned and grew so much as a broadcaster and person. I will really miss all of the wonderful friends I made along the way.
I know God has a plan for my life and I look forward to what’s next.

— Ashley Brewer (@ashbrewkaminsky) June 30, 2023

My time at ESPN is over

Incredibly grateful for all the opportunities I received over the last four-plus years. I got to live out my literal childhood dream job, worked with some of the most talented people and made so many friends.

Really excited to see whatever comes next

— Joon Lee (@joonlee) June 30, 2023

ESPN issued the following statement about the layoffs:

“Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun,” ESPN said in a statement. “This exercise will include a small group of job cuts in the short-term and an ongoing focus on managing costs when we negotiate individual contract renewals in the months ahead. This is an extremely challenging process, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. These difficult decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth.

For fuller analysis of these personnel moves, see this piece from Deadline’s Dade Hayes.

Dade Hayes contributed to this report.

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