How Sports Journalism Took a Hit With ESPN’s Layoffs
By Simon Hannig
Sports journalism took a hit yesterday as ESPN made some major changes.
ESPN, yesterday, decided to lay off 100+ people today as they did their annual cuts. A lot of notable NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL beat writers got laid off and also anchors as well. This impact will have outrageous effects on the sports journalism industry.
Here is the list:
Anchors
Jade McCarthy
Marysol Castro
Jaymee Sire
Chris Hassel
Jay Crawford
Brendan Fitzgerald
College Football/NFL
Brett McMurphy
Ed Werder
Ashley Fox
Danny Kenell
Chantel Jennings
Greg Ostendorf
MLB
Jayson Stark
Jim Bowden
College Basketball/NBA
Calvin Watkins
Ethan Strauss
Justin Verrier
Len Elmore
Dana O’Neil
NHL
Pierre LeBrun
Scott Burnside
Joe McDonald
That is just some of the list, you can view the full list here: ESPN layoff: A running list of reporters, anchors fired by the network — The Washington Post.
More from King James Gospel
- 3 possible starting lineups for Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023-24
- The Cavaliers may have snagged a hidden gem in Craig Porter Jr.
- 4 players the Cavaliers should pursue in 2024 free agency
- 6 players Cavaliers might replace Jarrett Allen with by the trade deadline
- This stat is one to keep an eye on for Cavaliers’ Max Strus in years ahead
I am writing this because I am saddened by all the great reporters and anchors losing their jobs yesterday. This is a loss for the world of sports journalism. Yes, we know this is a competitive field and these layoffs are common throughout the journalism. These reporters and anchors are very notable and helped ESPN become what they are.
However, we are seeing ESPN, to me, in financial trouble. However, we saw them almost give out a big contract to keep Skip Bayless, who left the network for Fox Sports 1.
These anchors and reporters/writers/analysis are too talented to be on the free agent pool for long. A network will be getting someone very talented who did not deserve this.
Am I being dramatic? I don’t think so. This hurts the sports journalism world a lot and that is not an understatement. It also shows how fragile a network is with letting go employees, especially long time employees who have been well known throughout the country for many years.
ESPN is different and will be different for years to come, especially if they continue in this downward spiral.
ESPN, a once great network in sports, that seems to be in shambles.