ESPN On-Air Bloodletting Begins: Jalen Rose, Jeff Van Gundy Out; Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson Gone Too
ESPN is not holding back after news came down today that longtime NBA analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Jalen Rose have been let go.
The moves, first reported by the New York Post's Andrew Marchand, are part of the company's cost-cutting initiatives. They are the first high-profile names of what is expected to be upwards of 20 on-air personalities let go as the network tries to figure out their future direction.
Marchand reports that Van Gundy's contract was not up, however his salary was in the millions of dollars. Still, fans across social media were shocked by the news after becoming accustomed to hearing Van Gundy and Mike Breen as ESPN's main NBA broadcast team for 16 years. The former Knicks and Rockets head coach joined the network after the 2006-07 season. Former Warriors head coach Mark Jackson eventually joined the ESPN broadcast booth too.
According to Richard Deitsch of The Athletic, Van Gundy only found out about ESPN's decision this morning.
Jalen Rose Also Gone From ESPN
In a perhaps more shocking move based on the network's political leanings, Jalen Rose was also fired this morning. The NBA Countdown and former host of the failed Jalen & Jacoby show was known for such "hot takes" like saying Mt. Rushmore is racist. This past April, Rose also insinuated that Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson was also racist because he won championships "on the backs" of "black athletes."
It's unclear if Rose knew he was being let go. He had been a poster child for the network's woke coverage since joining the network over a decade ago.
The layoffs come just a week after ESPN Radio cancelled the Keyshawn, J-Will & Max Show. Both Keyshawn Johnson and Max Kellerman were let go today as well.
“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," ESPN said in a statement. to Front Office Sports.
"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," the statement continued.
Do these firings mean a new direction for the network? I wouldn't hold my breath. You can be sure there will be some outcry however after the network recently signed Pat McAfee to an $85 million deal over five years, while Stephen A. Smith makes a reported $8 million per year.