SerpApi.Org
ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro wrote a memo to explain the latest round of layoffs affecting the network.
On Tuesday, ESPN and NFL Network announced a major round of layoffs, with several high-profile on-air personalities and behind-the-scenes staff being informed of job cuts. NFL analyst Ryan Clark was informed of his removal during an episode of NFL Live, and veteran anchor and play-by-play baseball announcer Karl Ravech has also been let go.
NFL Insider Tom Pelissero is also among the cuts. Meanwhile, fellow insider Ian Rapoport is finalizing a new deal while ESPN has invested hundreds of millions in Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith. However, the merger with NFL Network has led to cuts within the operation.
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ESPN took over the operation of NFL Network and other assets in exchange for a 10 percent ownership stake in the company. Ultimately, staff were informed of the sweeping changes in a memo sent by Pitaro.
The memo began by highlighting the equity deal with the NFL, but Pitaro then pivoted to the “difficult decisions” that come with the move. As a result, ESPN is now restructuring, and Pitaro and co. have had to commit to another round of brutal layoffs.
The memo read: “Team: Over the past several months, we’ve made significant progress integrating the NFL assets that we acquired into ESPN. Throughout this process, we have taken the time to carefully evaluate our collective teams, resources, and organizational structure to best position us for the future. As a result, we had to make some difficult decisions regarding job impacts, which we will communicate today.
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“While most of the job impacts are tied to the acquisition, we will also notify colleagues in other parts of the company today that their positions have been impacted. We are committed to treating employees with compassion and respect and to providing support as they navigate this transition.
“Even in moments like these, the strength of ESPN comes from our people, our teamwork and our shared mission to serve sports fans.”
Pitaro has led ESPN through tumultuous times, including the rise of streaming, higher living costs, and evolving consumer habits. However, it is still difficult to see the dominant network lay off those who have worked and served ESPN for years, both on air and behind the scenes.
Clark’s situation was particularly brutal, as he was let go while working on a show. ESPN has not publicly commented on the decision to lay off Clark, who was reportedly making over $2 million per year and had been with ESPN for a decade.
