Sadly, the biggest story in sports on Wednesday wasn’t the NBA playoffs or the upcoming NFL Draft. Instead, the sports world watched as nearly 100 on-air personalities, writers, reporters, radio hosts, and more announced that they were being let go by ESPN.
ESPN, in need of cutting costs as their number of cable subscribers continues to fall, turned to their on-air and writing talent budget for money and gave the call to numerous personalities across all sports. It was a disheartening day for the sports media industry, watching long-time staples of the ESPN airwaves and young, up-and-coming reporters and stars in the business learn that they were now jobless. The overwhelming sentiment from those leaving was of graciousness for the opportunity, but disappointment to learn that they were not being kept, which is more than understandable.
While the former employees all took the high road publicly, other members of the sports media (some former ESPNers themselves) and fans of ESPN in general took to Twitter to voice their frustration with the massive cuts. These were people they loved to read, watch, or listen to on a regular basis and now they were without a job not because of personal fault or an inability to excel at their job, but because the bottom line dictated that people had to go.
A number of high profile staffers at ESPN were let go, including baseball writer and reporter Jayson Stark, who has long been a staple on ESPN. His former colleague Peter Gammons took to Twitter to support Stark and also make his disappointment in the cuts known.
This is a heart-tearing day. For ESPN not to understand that no one eclipses Jayson Stark in creativity, integrity, joy of the game. And
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) April 26, 2017
As one who was on the first Baseball Tonight, it has always been a part of me. Or was. I loved that show. I wish I could reach out to..
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) April 26, 2017
everyone impacted by cuts, but right now think how this cuts at the heart of John Walsh, to whom thousands are indebted to his genius
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) April 26, 2017
As Gammons eluded to, Baseball Tonight will reportedly be one of the shows most affected by the layoffs and could see significant restructuring moving forward.
There were plenty more that sent their well wishes to the departing ESPN staff members, as well as those that let the company know that they had let go of people that were beloved.
Been a part of so many "Cut Days". This 1 sucks more than any! Many blessings & best wishes to many of my ESPN colleagues. You'll be missed!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) April 26, 2017
ESPN is saving money on shoes by cutting off feet https://t.co/Dx8cAdNgKS
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) April 26, 2017
Sorry for so many at ESPN, including a few I worked alongside, losing their jobs today.
Sometimes business blows. https://t.co/mLwKg2s6op— Matt Winer (@MattWinerTV) April 26, 2017
Does ESPN layoff the exec who paid those exorbitant rights fees that ultimately led to all these layoffs? Or the exec who lacked vision?
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) April 26, 2017
Wow @espn 😳😏 y'all got rid of very talented, informative people but keep some loud, obnoxious, clueless people on tv?!? 👎👎 #EpicFail
— Brad Jackson (@BJack50) April 26, 2017
Hate seeing ESPN let @Hassel_Chris go. Their loss. Our loss as viewers. One of the best guys out there-personally and professionally.
— Tommy Birch (@TommyBirch) April 26, 2017
insane that ESPN fired the excellent @SherwoodStrauss — snatch him up, Simmons
— Owen Ellickson (@onlxn) April 26, 2017
Wish the best of luck to the talented folks let go by ESPN today. The industry took a hit for sure but hopefully not for long.
— Jake Rowe (@JakeMRowe) April 26, 2017
So many of my good friends and former coworkers at ESPN lost their jobs today. Great people who deserve better. #BlackWednesday
— Radi Nabulsi (@RadiNabulsi) April 26, 2017
This is so wrong. Who the hell is calling shots at ESPN. Young writers like @SherwoodStrauss & his cohort are only reasons I click The Mouse https://t.co/gYDOXwy3Bo
— Matthew Odam (@odam) April 26, 2017
The best anchor I sat next to on the SportsCenter desk. Smart, quick, funny, and a good person. Going to miss my friend who made us better. https://t.co/B2xkrnJBmR
— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) April 26, 2017
ESPN layoffs always make me oddly sad. I don't know these people, but I feel like I do.
— Stephen Herzog (@sherzogNL) April 26, 2017
So sad for so many people at ESPN right now that I wouldn't want to single any one out … it's just a rotten, rotten day.
— Joe Posnanski (@JPosnanski) April 26, 2017
Wait, wait, wait… ESPN let go of Jayson Stark? That just makes no sense. Greatly reduces my interest in their baseball coverage.
— Jim Sabin (@JimSabinWriter) April 26, 2017
for nearly a decade, he has been an inspiration to me. cfb, on the west coast and elsewhere, is less much smart without Ted at espn https://t.co/h69fJrZ94y
— Jon Wilner (@wilnerhotline) April 26, 2017
