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.
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,...
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.
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,...
- 8/1/2023
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Paul Finebaum, an ESPN contributor for a decade, is weighing in on the layoffs that saw about 20 on-air personalities exit the sports network.
“It’s pretty tough, and I say that loving my job and loving the company,” Finebaum said during an appearance on The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast. “But it was the worst day in my 10 years at ESPN. I can’t explain Bob (Iger’s) thinking. I think you have to trust his track record, but it doesn’t really excuse the state of mind that a lot of us, if not all of us, were in.”
He continued, “And I say as an employee nobody knew Friday. Especially those of us who were on the air whether we would be around at the end of the day. I’ll spare you a lot of the things that have been said on Twitter and on social...
“It’s pretty tough, and I say that loving my job and loving the company,” Finebaum said during an appearance on The Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast. “But it was the worst day in my 10 years at ESPN. I can’t explain Bob (Iger’s) thinking. I think you have to trust his track record, but it doesn’t really excuse the state of mind that a lot of us, if not all of us, were in.”
He continued, “And I say as an employee nobody knew Friday. Especially those of us who were on the air whether we would be around at the end of the day. I’ll spare you a lot of the things that have been said on Twitter and on social...
- 7/9/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Sports analyst Stephen A. Smith has responded to the laying off of more than a dozen of ESPN’s on-air personalities, and fears that more layoffs could very well be in the works. The staffers were all dropped by the network at the end of June as part of an overall cost-cutting measure at the network.
“ESPN laid off about 20 members of its on-air talent… friends of mine, actually, definitely respected colleagues who’d done a phenomenal job and deserved better,” he said on The Stephen A. Smith Show. “It’s not Disney or ESPN that they deserved better from,...
“ESPN laid off about 20 members of its on-air talent… friends of mine, actually, definitely respected colleagues who’d done a phenomenal job and deserved better,” he said on The Stephen A. Smith Show. “It’s not Disney or ESPN that they deserved better from,...
- 7/5/2023
- by Nick Caruso
- TVLine.com
Stephen A. Smith is opening up about the ESPN layoffs that saw about 20 on-air personalities become redundant at the sports network.
“ESPN laid off about 20 members of its on-air talent … friends of mine, actually, definitely respected colleagues who’d done a phenomenal job and deserved better,” the sports analyst said on The Stephen A. Smith Show. “It’s not Disney or ESPN that they deserved better from, they deserved better than the times we’re living in.”
Smith, who co-hosts First Take con ESPN, gave a shoutout to Jalen Rose saying that he had been doing an “outstanding job for us covering the NBA for years.”
Related: Pat McAfee Addresses Backlash Over ESPN “Mass Exits” & Says He’s “Pumped To Be Joining” Network
“Got a lot of love for that brother,” he added. “A lot of the great work he’s done over the years, what he’s represented for the company…...
“ESPN laid off about 20 members of its on-air talent … friends of mine, actually, definitely respected colleagues who’d done a phenomenal job and deserved better,” the sports analyst said on The Stephen A. Smith Show. “It’s not Disney or ESPN that they deserved better from, they deserved better than the times we’re living in.”
Smith, who co-hosts First Take con ESPN, gave a shoutout to Jalen Rose saying that he had been doing an “outstanding job for us covering the NBA for years.”
Related: Pat McAfee Addresses Backlash Over ESPN “Mass Exits” & Says He’s “Pumped To Be Joining” Network
“Got a lot of love for that brother,” he added. “A lot of the great work he’s done over the years, what he’s represented for the company…...
- 7/5/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Pat McAfee recently struck a deal to bring his namesake sports commentary show to ESPN. The former NFL player has been receiving backlash after the sports network announced layoffs and many viewers are correlating that it has to do with McAfee.
McAfee, who is also an analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay, took to Twitter to clear things up and address the “mass exits.”
“I did a lot of reflecting about our show’s journey while I was getting murdered on the internet today (hell yeah).. all roads lead back to how honored I am to be the leader of such a talented group and how lucky I am to be a part of this team,” he tweeted.
He continued, “We’re very pumped to be joining ESPN and our goal is that ‘Mass exits’ are never a thing again.. we hope to help that.. obviously that’s a lofty goal but,...
McAfee, who is also an analyst on ESPN’s College GameDay, took to Twitter to clear things up and address the “mass exits.”
“I did a lot of reflecting about our show’s journey while I was getting murdered on the internet today (hell yeah).. all roads lead back to how honored I am to be the leader of such a talented group and how lucky I am to be a part of this team,” he tweeted.
He continued, “We’re very pumped to be joining ESPN and our goal is that ‘Mass exits’ are never a thing again.. we hope to help that.. obviously that’s a lofty goal but,...
- 7/2/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
ESPN has let go of about 20 on-air personalities who have now taken to social media to react to the news following the cuts.
David Pollack shared a message with his followers on Twitter after news broke that he was one of the talents who got laid off from the sports network.
“I won’t be brought back to College GameDay next year or to ESPN and just wanted to say thank you to so many people. I just appreciate everybody along the journey,” the former NFL player said in his video statement. “You know, 12-13 years ago, ESPN taking a chance on me and all the people that I got to work with.”
He continued, “I got to work with so many great people and do so many things, that was so awesome for so many years and I’m just very, very thankful for it. And I don’t know what’s next,...
David Pollack shared a message with his followers on Twitter after news broke that he was one of the talents who got laid off from the sports network.
“I won’t be brought back to College GameDay next year or to ESPN and just wanted to say thank you to so many people. I just appreciate everybody along the journey,” the former NFL player said in his video statement. “You know, 12-13 years ago, ESPN taking a chance on me and all the people that I got to work with.”
He continued, “I got to work with so many great people and do so many things, that was so awesome for so many years and I’m just very, very thankful for it. And I don’t know what’s next,...
- 7/1/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
More than a dozen on-air personalities are being dropped by ESPN as part of an overall cost-cutting measure at the network.
NFL great Keyshawn Johnson, who became one of ESPN Radio’s top morning show personalities; Johnson’s former co-host Max Kellerman; basketball coach-turned-analyst Jeff Van Gundy; and NBA star Jalen Rose, who went on to become a commentator for the network, have all been let go, our sister site Deadline reports.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: ESPN's Serena Williams Docuseries, Joe Pickett Trailer and MoreNFL, ESPN Clash Over On-Air Reports That Teams Were Given '5 Minutes' to Warm Up, After...
NFL great Keyshawn Johnson, who became one of ESPN Radio’s top morning show personalities; Johnson’s former co-host Max Kellerman; basketball coach-turned-analyst Jeff Van Gundy; and NBA star Jalen Rose, who went on to become a commentator for the network, have all been let go, our sister site Deadline reports.
More from TVLineTVLine Items: ESPN's Serena Williams Docuseries, Joe Pickett Trailer and MoreNFL, ESPN Clash Over On-Air Reports That Teams Were Given '5 Minutes' to Warm Up, After...
- 6/30/2023
- by Andy Swift
- TVLine.com
When Walt Disney’s ESPN airs a Wild Card game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Tennessee Titans this Saturday, viewers will be able to get a little bit of everything.
Interested in chatter about sports betting? A simulcast of the game running on streaming outlet ESPN Plus will have it. Want to talk about pop culture and celebrity gossip? Check out the game on Freeform, the Disney cable network devoted to younger audiences. Have a craving to hear the game broadcast in Spanish? ESPN Deportes will deliver. The game will also air on ESPN, ABC and ESPN2.
The “mega cast” of one of the last pre-championship games of the season aims to show how Disney can bring new and varied audiences to NFL contests, one of the demands the league has put to its media partners as they all look to renew crucial rights pacts that give Disney and rivals like NBCUniversal,...
Interested in chatter about sports betting? A simulcast of the game running on streaming outlet ESPN Plus will have it. Want to talk about pop culture and celebrity gossip? Check out the game on Freeform, the Disney cable network devoted to younger audiences. Have a craving to hear the game broadcast in Spanish? ESPN Deportes will deliver. The game will also air on ESPN, ABC and ESPN2.
The “mega cast” of one of the last pre-championship games of the season aims to show how Disney can bring new and varied audiences to NFL contests, one of the demands the league has put to its media partners as they all look to renew crucial rights pacts that give Disney and rivals like NBCUniversal,...
- 1/4/2021
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Charles Woodson is leaving ESPN after three years with the sports network.
Woodson broke the news on his Instagram account on Thursday, writing “Many thanks to @espn @espnnfl it was a good run!!”
“I’ll see you next season, somewhere. Stay tuned,” the nine-time NFL Pro Bowler said in an accompanying video, which you can see below.
Also Read: ESPN+ Reaches 2 Million Paid Subscribers, Bob Iger Says
Woodson was part of the network’s rejiggered “Sunday NFL Countdown” following the departure of longtime host Chris Berman and analyst Tom Jackson. For the past two seasons, the Sunday morning pregame show had been hosted by Sam Ponder, with Woodson, Randy Moss, Matt Hasselbeck and former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan as analysts.
ESPN declined to comment on the nature of Woodson’s departure, though the New York Post is reporting it could be the first in what would be another...
Woodson broke the news on his Instagram account on Thursday, writing “Many thanks to @espn @espnnfl it was a good run!!”
“I’ll see you next season, somewhere. Stay tuned,” the nine-time NFL Pro Bowler said in an accompanying video, which you can see below.
Also Read: ESPN+ Reaches 2 Million Paid Subscribers, Bob Iger Says
Woodson was part of the network’s rejiggered “Sunday NFL Countdown” following the departure of longtime host Chris Berman and analyst Tom Jackson. For the past two seasons, the Sunday morning pregame show had been hosted by Sam Ponder, with Woodson, Randy Moss, Matt Hasselbeck and former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan as analysts.
ESPN declined to comment on the nature of Woodson’s departure, though the New York Post is reporting it could be the first in what would be another...
- 2/8/2019
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Fox News anchor Elisabeth Hasselbeck has connected the NFL's Ray Rice scandal to the attacks in Benghazi and the recent IRS scandal involving its alleged targeting of conservative groups. Hasselbeck, who's married to former NFL quarterback Tim Hasselbeck and is the sister-in-law of Colts backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, tweeted the below on Tuesday. Imagine if everyone that asked for transparency in the #nfl @nfl Demanded that same #transparency in our #government #Benghazi #IRS — elisabeth hasselbeck (@ehasselbeck) September 16, 2014 Since a video was made public last week showing the former Baltimore Ravens running back punching out his
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- 9/16/2014
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was released by the Tennessee Titans Monday, but he may have already found a new home. USA Today reports the NFL veteran is nearing a deal with the Indianapolis Colts to act as starting quarterback Andrew Luck's backup.
Last season Hasselbeck only played in eight games for the Titans, five as a starter when quarterback Jake Locker was injured. With Locker continuing on as the Titans' starting Qb, the team was looking to restructure Hasselbeck's contract, which would have payed $5.5 million for the 2013 season. The team and Hasselbeck's agent were unable to come to an agreement, though.
In a statement from the team, Titans general manager Ruston Webster thanks Hasselbeck for his contributions, saying, "He was an important part of the transition process - he was a pro at every turn and he provided an example to the rest of the team." Hasselbeck has played 15 seasons in the NFL,...
Last season Hasselbeck only played in eight games for the Titans, five as a starter when quarterback Jake Locker was injured. With Locker continuing on as the Titans' starting Qb, the team was looking to restructure Hasselbeck's contract, which would have payed $5.5 million for the 2013 season. The team and Hasselbeck's agent were unable to come to an agreement, though.
In a statement from the team, Titans general manager Ruston Webster thanks Hasselbeck for his contributions, saying, "He was an important part of the transition process - he was a pro at every turn and he provided an example to the rest of the team." Hasselbeck has played 15 seasons in the NFL,...
- 3/19/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
If you're wondering what Americans are talking about, it comes down to three simple letters N - F - L. With NFL lockout over, the fun of free agency signing begins. And people can't get enough of it. Plus, it's about time to start preparing for your fantasy football league.
Here's the latest from the NFL truth and gossip mill:
Carolina Panthers have resigned star running back DeAngelo Williams to a five years paying up to $43 million, with $21 million guaranteed. Williams ran for only 361 yards last season before getting hurt, however in the two seasons before that he amassed more than 2,600 yards rushing. And after going 2-14 last season, the Panthers need all the help they can get.
Just a year after being traded to the Washington Redskins for a couple of draft picks, quarterback Donovan McNabb might be on the move again. The Brett Favre-less Minnesota Vikings are...
Here's the latest from the NFL truth and gossip mill:
Carolina Panthers have resigned star running back DeAngelo Williams to a five years paying up to $43 million, with $21 million guaranteed. Williams ran for only 361 yards last season before getting hurt, however in the two seasons before that he amassed more than 2,600 yards rushing. And after going 2-14 last season, the Panthers need all the help they can get.
Just a year after being traded to the Washington Redskins for a couple of draft picks, quarterback Donovan McNabb might be on the move again. The Brett Favre-less Minnesota Vikings are...
- 7/27/2011
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is saying goodbye to his old team and hello to his new NFL home with the Tennessee Titans. The Seahawks decided against taking on Matt Hasselbeck for another term, but the Tennessee Titans were more than happy to snatch him up with a multi-year contract.
Matt Hasselbeck, Source: Wikimedia.org
The Seattle Seahawks informed Hasselbeck on Tuesday that the team had decided to go in a ‘different direction’ with the quarterback position this year. Hasselbeck was reportedly “dissapointed” with the decision his brother, Tim Hasselbeck, told 710 Espn. “He wanted to remain a Seahawk and finish his career, but it’s not gonna happen. It’s part of the deal,” Hasselbeck’s brother said in the radio interview.
After the announcement Hasselbeck would not be returning to the Seattle Seahawks, mass speculation began on what team would snap the veteran up. The Miami Dophins, Tennessee Titans,...
Matt Hasselbeck, Source: Wikimedia.org
The Seattle Seahawks informed Hasselbeck on Tuesday that the team had decided to go in a ‘different direction’ with the quarterback position this year. Hasselbeck was reportedly “dissapointed” with the decision his brother, Tim Hasselbeck, told 710 Espn. “He wanted to remain a Seahawk and finish his career, but it’s not gonna happen. It’s part of the deal,” Hasselbeck’s brother said in the radio interview.
After the announcement Hasselbeck would not be returning to the Seattle Seahawks, mass speculation began on what team would snap the veteran up. The Miami Dophins, Tennessee Titans,...
- 7/27/2011
- by Laura Vess
- SnarkFood.com
Last week, Trey Parker and Matt Stone mercilessly parodied Jersey Shore and this week, the pair moved onto another reality epidemic plaguing the airwaves: Hoarders in "Insheeption." When a leading hoarding specialist visited South Park, he determined that Stan and Mr. Mackie were suffering from advanced stages of hoarding psychosis and demanded that they undergo dream regression therapy, which trapped them both in Mr. Mackie's subconscious Inception-style. Freddy Kreuger was there. And Matt Hasselbeck too. Cue the hazy dissolve...
- 10/21/2010
- Movieline - TVline
Last week's episode of "South Park" took its buzzsaw approach to pop culture and cut up "Jersey Shore" and "The Real Housewives of New Jersey." On Wednesday night's (October 20) episode, Matt Stone and Trey Parker focused their acidic approach on the problematic reality show "Hoarders" and the complicated hit summer movie "Inception." In the episode (titled "Insheeption"), Wendy confronts Stan about being a locker hoarder (which, according to the hoarding experts, can lead to room hoarding, house hoarding or even animal hoarding). They stage an intervention, which reveals that Stan really does have a problem letting go (he insists that the expert keep a sandwich covered in maggots). Eventually, school guidance counselor Mr. Mackey and a sheep herder ("It's pronounced 'hoarder'") all end up in regression therapy, which is where the "Inception" parody kicks in.
While not nearly as savage as their take on "Jersey Shore" (which clearly enrages Parker...
While not nearly as savage as their take on "Jersey Shore" (which clearly enrages Parker...
- 10/21/2010
- by Kyle Anderson
- MTV Newsroom
Charity organization A Call To Men has joined with the NFL and NBA to produce a ground-breaking new book that explores the relationship between fathers and daughters, with the aim of raising awareness of domestic and sexual violence prevention.
NFL Dads Dedicated To Daughters features a collection of inspiring personal accounts on fatherhood from the men of the NFL, including Donovan McNabb, Matt Hasselbeck, Tony Dungy, Jeff Saturday and many more. Each player shares his thoughts and opinions on what it means to be a real man in today’s society, while also talking about the role men play in preventing domestic and sexual violence.
A Call To Men was established to challenge men to reconsider their long held beliefs about women, in an effort to create a more just society. They achieve this by encouraging change in the behaviors of men through a re-education and training process that promotes healthy manhood.
NFL Dads Dedicated To Daughters features a collection of inspiring personal accounts on fatherhood from the men of the NFL, including Donovan McNabb, Matt Hasselbeck, Tony Dungy, Jeff Saturday and many more. Each player shares his thoughts and opinions on what it means to be a real man in today’s society, while also talking about the role men play in preventing domestic and sexual violence.
A Call To Men was established to challenge men to reconsider their long held beliefs about women, in an effort to create a more just society. They achieve this by encouraging change in the behaviors of men through a re-education and training process that promotes healthy manhood.
- 8/12/2010
- Look to the Stars
We thoroughly enjoyed "The View" co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck on her turn on "NFL Live" Tuesday (Jan. 19).
We realize the men of Espn's "NFL Live," Trey Wingo and Tedy Bruschi, were not exactly pelting Hasselbeck with tough analysis questions, but they weren't just lobbing her softballs either.
Some highlights include when Hasselbeck was asked to weigh in on new Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey and the fact that his job was a tough one to fill. Hasselbeck remarked:
In this economy, if a job been open that long, you gotta wonder about the job. Every single person [approached to be] on that staff is going to be having this conversation with their wife and family, "Hey, we're going to a team. It's in a really tough division. We're going to play the Patriots twice. We're going to see Miami twice. They don't have a really good market and the weather's kinda bad. What...
We realize the men of Espn's "NFL Live," Trey Wingo and Tedy Bruschi, were not exactly pelting Hasselbeck with tough analysis questions, but they weren't just lobbing her softballs either.
Some highlights include when Hasselbeck was asked to weigh in on new Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey and the fact that his job was a tough one to fill. Hasselbeck remarked:
In this economy, if a job been open that long, you gotta wonder about the job. Every single person [approached to be] on that staff is going to be having this conversation with their wife and family, "Hey, we're going to a team. It's in a really tough division. We're going to play the Patriots twice. We're going to see Miami twice. They don't have a really good market and the weather's kinda bad. What...
- 1/20/2010
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
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