Several big names were expected to be part of ESPN’s layoffs that would be revealed Friday. And the first two are well-known names in the NBA ecosystem.
According to the New York Post, the network is letting go of top NBA game analyst Jeff Van Gundy, part of the network’s “A team” alongside play-by-play announcer Mike Breen and fellow analyst Mark Jackson.
Van Gundy, a former head coach of the New York Knicks (1996-2002) and Houston Rockets (2003-2007), had been with ESPN since he left the bench. He developed a brand of being disgusted with NBA officiating but also was a clear and effective communicator of a coach’s decisions and responsibilities.
The Post reported that ESPN is considering internal candidates to replace Van Gundy, who was making millions annually. Richard Jefferson, Doris Burke and JJ Redick are all options, per the report. Former Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers coach Doc Rivers is another possibility for Van Gundy’s replacement.
According to an internal memo obtained by multiple news outlets Friday, ESPN is undergoing “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.”
“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,” the company 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.”
Among those affected include longtime SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett, NHL analyst Chris Chelios and NFL analyst Rob Ninkovich.
As part of parent company Disney’s cost-cutting measures that would slash spending by $5.5 billion worldwide, ESPN looked at every part of its business, with departures in public relations and production teams in addition to more front-facing talent.
Van Gundy, 61, was 430-318 as a NBA head coach and helped the Knicks to the 1999 NBA Finals as the first No. 8 seed to ever do so. From 1989 until he relieved Don Nelson as head coach, he was an assistant with the Knicks under Stu Jackson and Pat Riley.
Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson let go by ESPN
ESPN’s decision to cancel its national morning radio show hosted by Keyshawn Johnson, Jay Williams and Max Kellerman has impacted the employment of Johnson and Kellerman, per the Post.
Kellerman, once Stephen A. Smith’s sparring partner on “First Take” between 2016-2021, is part of the layoffs. He first appeared on the network in the late 1990s as part of ESPN’s boxing coverage and was the first host of “Around the Horn.” He contributed to ESPN radio programs in New York and Los Angeles before he returned to ESPN for the “First Take” gig. Upon his departure from that program, he moved to radio in the mornings with Johnson and Williams while holding onto an afternoon television slot called “This Just In,” which will be taken over by Pat McAfee’s show come fall.
Johnson, the 1996 first overall selection in the NFL draft, joined ESPN after his playing career ended following the 2006 season. He’d been part of ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown,” “Monday Night Countdown” and started on the national morning show in 2020, replacing “Golic and Wingo” (Mike Golic Sr. and Trey Wingo).
Jalen Rose also out at ESPN
Rose, also a fixture on the top ABC/ESPN broadcast as a studio analyst, has been let go as well. He appeared on several ESPN programs over the last decade, including “First Take” and “Get Up” and hosted a show alongside David Jacoby called “Jalen & Jacoby” that began as a radio podcast and turned into a television show, ending in 2022.
A member of the Michigan Wolverines’ “Fab Five,” Rose played for six NBA teams over 14 seasons.
ESPN is categorizing the departures as “savings” while also doling out $85 million over five years to McAfee, who will be moving his daily, three-hour afternoon show to ESPN airwaves and digital platforms starting in the fall. Last year, the network signed both Joe Buck and Troy Aikman to massive deals for their revamped “Monday Night Football” booth.
LaPhonso Ellis, a men’s college basketball analyst with ESPN since 2009, has also been affected, as has SportsCenter anchor Ashley Brewer.
Follow Chris Bumbaca on Twitter @BOOMbaca.
