Who did ESPN layoff? Here's the list

ESPN announcing more than 100 layoffs Tuesday

DETROIT – ESPN plans to lay off 100 on-air personalities and writers.

The job cuts, including television, radio and online personalities, will be announced Wednesday, and most will take effect immediately, the source said. ESPN also plans to cut what the source described as a limited number of additional off-air jobs.

It was not immediately clear who was losing their jobs. But Ed Werder, a prominent NFL reporter, said on Twitter that he was among those laid off. "I have no plans to retire," he said.

ESPN employs about 8,000 people around the world.

Other ESPN on air talent who have been laid off include (updating):

  • NHL columnist Pierre LeBrun
  • NHL writer Joe McDonald
  • NHL columnist Scott Burnside
  • College basketball reporter Dana O'Neil
  • Soccer writer Mike Goodman
  • ESPNU anchor Brendan Fitzgerald
  • Big Ten reporter Jesse Temple
  • Big Ten football reporter Austin Ward
  • MLB analyst Jim Bowden
  • Baseball reporter Mark Saxon
  • College football reporter Brett McMurphy
  • ESPN Dallas writer Jean-Jacques Taylor
  • College basketball writer Eamonn Brennan
  • College football reporter Jeremy Crabtree
  • College basketball reporter C.L. Brown
  • Columnist Johnette Howard
  • Dan Sharfin
  • SEC analyst Derek Tyson
  • Big Ten reporter Brian Bennett
  • MLB writer Jayson Stark
  • Big 12 reporter Max Olson
  • ESPNW reporter Jane McManus
  • David Ching
  • Doug Padilla
  • Danny Kanell
  • NFL analyst Trent Dilfer
  • Pac 12 reporter Ted Miller
  • NBA reporter Sherwood Strauss
  • Anchor Jay Crawford
  • ESPNW writer Melissa Isaacson
  • Houston Rockets writer Calvin Watkins
  • College basketball analyst Len Elmore
  • NFL analyst Ashley Fox
  • NBA reporter Justin Verrier
  • Radio host Robin Lundberg
  • Expert Rufus Peabody
  • College sports reporter Chantel Jennings
  • Anchor Chris Hassel
  • Anchor Jaymee Sire
  • Roger Cossack

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Karl Ravech, Ryen Russillo, and Hannah Storm will see their roles at the network “significantly reduced.”

They also report that ESPN will not renew John Buccigross's contract this summer. (Update: THR now says Buccigross could see reduced contract)

Check back for updates.

"We have long been about serving fans and innovating to create the best content for them," ESPN said in a statement. "Today's fans consume content in many different ways and we are in a continuous process of adapting to change and improving what we do. Inevitably, that has consequences for how we utilize our talent. We are confident that ESPN will continue to have a roster of talent that is unequaled in sports."

The last time ESPN had layoffs was in 2015. Keith Olbermann and Bill Simmons, both of whom had expensive contracts, were among the big names who were cut loose.

Later that year, ESPN also laid off about 300 employees -- roughly 4 percent of the network's global workforce. During those layoffs, hosts, reporters and commentators generally weren't affected. ESPN also had a round of layoffs in 2013.

The cuts came as growing numbers of viewers unsubscribed from the cable channel, even with ESPN paying for costly long-term TV deals with pro sports leagues.

At the time of the 2015 cuts, it was reported that ESPN was told by its parent company, Disney, to "trim $100 million from the 2016 budget and $250 million in 2017."


About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.