ESPN lays off employees, with more cuts to come

[ladypanther]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/04/24/espn-layoffs/

ESPN began laying off employees on Monday, part of a wave of cost-cutting at parent company Disney that will claim an unspecified number of jobs across all levels at the sports network in the coming months.

ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro told employees in a memo that company HR officials had begun contacting affected employees. A second round of cuts is expected in the next two months.

 

The two rounds of layoffs will primarily involve management, not on-air talent. Once those layoffs have been executed, the company will begin scrutinizing on-air contracts, according to two people with knowledge of the plans.

Talent contracts, for people who appear on TV or generate content across ESPN’s platforms, are generally for a specified length of time, a different arrangement from more traditionally salaried employees. A number of those contracts are expected to not be renewed or extended at lower values.

Now this sucks, IMO... One executive included in Monday’s cuts was ESPN’s second-longest tenured employee, Mike Soltys, a 43-year veteran of the company and a vice president of communications.

43 years???

[TheBigKat]

this is why the Pat McAfee's of the world will be the new norm

[Ocpanthertew714]

I would imagine Mike Soltys will get a decent severance package.  

[Khyber53]

Disney is planning something very big for next year and is clearing the decks to create cash now.

 

[Varking]

Anyone casuals would know if getting fired? Mina Kimes? 

[PanthersATL]

1 minute ago, Ocpanthertew714 said:

I would imagine Mike Soltys will get a decent severance package.  

it could be a 1-week pay per 1 year of service --- 43 weeks of severance.

some companies have done 2 weeks of pay per year of service:  86 weeks of severance.

some companies do 2 weeks of pay, but a max of XX weeks, capped at one year.

After 43 years, let him retire with a gold watch.  He's got some stories, we're sure.
 

[Riverboat Ron]

4 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

Disney is planning something very big for next year and is clearing the decks to create cash now.

 

Hopefully it’s making another season of Bluey so I can stop watching the same 3 seasons with my kid.

[Mistuh Jones]

Doesn't Mina work for NFL Network not ESPN? 

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Yet David Newton continues to churn out drivel. 

[scpanther22]

1 minute ago, Mistuh Jones said:

Doesn't Mina work for NFL Network not ESPN? 

ESPN for now but I imagine a bidding war happens when her contract is up next year

[Toker Smurf]

21 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

Disney is planning something very big for next year and is clearing the decks to create cash now.

 

Probably launching a full (as opposed to +) standalone streaming service. 

[Aussie Tank]

17 minutes ago, Riverboat Ron said:

Hopefully it’s making another season of Bluey so I can stop watching the same 3 seasons with my kid.

Great Australian cartoon 

[CamWhoaaCam]

20 minutes ago, TheBigKat said:

this is why the Pat McAfee's of the world will be the new norm

Pat McAfee didn't start that trend buddy.

 

People been making millions off YT long before McAfee. Are you entertaining? Can you make content that people will watch? 

 

If you have those skills you can make a living as your own brand. Content creators is what they are called.

 

ESPN/Fox debate shows are not even that anymore. These dudes are talking about off field topics a majority of the time. Crazy how times have changed. ESPN are trying to fit in to the new media. You now have their employees cussing on live air. ESPN is owned by Disney which is family/kid friendly. Billion dollar companies adjusting to the new media.

 

Pretty soon they will be hiring these content creators to generate more viewers and revenue. The odd guys out are the old people sadly. This is the new norm.

[amcoolio]

They gave Buck and Aikman 30 million a year combined and now I imagine will cut a lot of lower level employees making less than 200,000 to make up for it