http://deadspin.com/a-running-list-of-espn-layoffs-1794664091
Some names gone...
Jayson Stark
Ethan Strauss
Doug Padilla
Eamonn Brennan
Jim Bowden
Some names gone...
Jayson Stark
Ethan Strauss
Doug Padilla
Eamonn Brennan
Jim Bowden
They're doubling down on loud-mouth hot-take personalities and completely moving away from the interesting writers that provide a healthy perspective to sports. It sucks. It'll also doomed them in the long-term.
As long as the Lebatard Show doesn't get hit then I don't really care who they cut.
They'll have both like they've always had. Stephen A. screaming every morning hasn't ever stopped them from producing 30 for 30s or letting Bill Simmons run a website with ridiculously long articles that no one read. This seems like they are mostly just cutting the fat with radio and tv personalities that have been there a long time.
By reilo Go To PostThey're doubling down on loud-mouth hot-take personalities and completely moving away from the interesting writers that provide a healthy perspective to sports. It sucks. It'll also doomed them in the long-term.
They'll have both like they've always had. Stephen A. screaming every morning hasn't ever stopped them from producing 30 for 30s or letting Bill Simmons run a website with ridiculously long articles that no one read. This seems like they are mostly just cutting the fat with radio and tv personalities that have been there a long time.
Appropriate thread title
Oh you thought this meeting was about that article you just put up 5 mins ago?
Oh you thought this meeting was about that article you just put up 5 mins ago?
I had no idea Jay Crawford was even still at ESPN. Haven't seen that dude since it was called Cold Pizza
Granted I haven't had ESPN on my TV in about 3 years..
Granted I haven't had ESPN on my TV in about 3 years..
I suppose an a la carte system would result in my dropping ESPN. I can't cut the cord because of local TV deal for both of my favorite teams, but if I ever could do a la carte, I would drop ESPN. There's a couple national games I'll watch but other than that, I basically consume local talk sports radio and that's it. I recognize some of the games, but the only one that affects me even remotely is Doug Padilla. That's a stretch too.
By Fenderputty Go To PostI suppose an a la carte system would result in my dropping ESPN. I can't cut the cord because of local TV deal for both of my favorite teams, but if I ever could do a la carte, I would drop ESPN. There's a couple national games I'll watch but other than that, I basically consume local talk sports radio and that's it. I recognize some of the games, but the only one that affects me even remotely is Doug Padilla. That's a stretch too.Try the free trials with Sling and Vue to really make sure they don't carry your local channels. That's what I was worried about, myself, before I tried Vue out.
By Kibner Go To PostTry the free trials with Sling and Vue to really make sure they don't carry your local channels. That's what I was worried about, myself, before I tried Vue out.
Hmmm ... seems like the Dodgers might be 100 ganmes watchable ... hmmm
By Vlatko Go To PostThey'll have both like they've always had. Stephen A. screaming every morning hasn't ever stopped them from producing 30 for 30s or letting Bill Simmons run a website with ridiculously long articles that no one read. This seems like they are mostly just cutting the fat with radio and tv personalities that have been there a long time.
Grantland was ridiculously successful for them.
Define success. Because I don't think it ever made money.
I agree that it was worthwhile as an enterprise, but there's a reason ESPN cut it at the first opportunity.
I agree that it was worthwhile as an enterprise, but there's a reason ESPN cut it at the first opportunity.
There's something to be said for having a "Halo" project that doesn't necessarily make you money but that it brings a sort of brand recognition and affinity that your most profitable enterprise cannot.
By KingGondo Go To PostDefine success. Because I don't think it ever made money.It was massively successful and drove a TON of traffic to ESPN. It was also an audience (2 in fact) that their normal site wasn't able to attract, and they still desperately need.
I agree that it was worthwhile as an enterprise, but there's a reason ESPN cut it at the first opportunity.
With their focus on long form journalism, and pop culture, they brought in a lot of people who wanted to read long form informative pieces; so the core sports nerd who wanted more than "casual" coverage. AND people who just wanted quick hit pop culture articles. it kept people engaged in the off season of "their sport".
Simmons became a huge name in the company, and that is how he and Jalen found themselves on TV. Their video segments for Grantland drew massive numbers.
It's also why they let him get away with trashing the NFL several times, while not letting any of their core journalists (the ones posting to ESPN.com) say a single bad word about how they handled anything. He got "reprimanded" several times over it, where the other journalists just had articles refused to be published or retracted.
Grantland was one of the few ESPN enterprises that was attracting a new audience and increasing their reach. They were loathe to shut it down, but by that stage Simmons knew the strength of his brand and just waved his dick in their faces. They couldn't let him openly challenge them so they axed it to make sure they could control the narrative that their journalists were allowed to publish (all sanctioned by the leagues they relied upon).
There were a few articles about this before or shortly after the shut down. I mean, that's almost 2 or 3 years ago now. So i forget the exact details. Grantland wasn't profitable by it self, but what it did for the company was considered then (and publicly / by external analysts) to far exceed any salaried losses.
Unfortunately, the autonomy that sort of place needed to excel would never be allowed again, due to the need to control narratives.
By RATHasReturned Go To Postouch 😂😂😂😂
I loved Grantland. I already read Atlantic, New Yorker. Grantland added an extra dimension to the complexity of sport narratives. It was like Tuesday Morning Quarterback but for omni-sports.
All of the personalities that I like at ESPN were retained, so we're good.
All of the personalities that I like at ESPN were retained, so we're good.
As someone who doesnt watch game of thrones do you know how long it took this thread title to trigger lmao.
But can someone explain why this is happening, they loosing money or something?
But can someone explain why this is happening, they loosing money or something?
By Kidjr Go To PostAs someone who doesnt watch game of thrones do you know how long it took this thread title to trigger lmao.People are cord cutting and the live sports right fees have gone up. The internet in general has made Sportscenter and other ESPN shows worthless or worth less.
But can someone explain why this is happening, they loosing money or something?
ESPN is basically cutting back on things that don't actively make them money. Vets have gone first since they cost the most. Team beat writers were let go because fans could get that same info from their local papers and ESPN can just call those guys up for appearances instead of employing their own and save money that way.
What is making money at ESPN now? Honestly seems like First Take and radio shows...... I'm sure NBA helps but this regular season for ESPN match-ups on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday were below average, compared to years past.
By Slizz Go To PostWhat is making money at ESPN now? Honestly seems like First Take and radio shows…… I'm sure NBA helps but this regular season for ESPN match-ups on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday were below average, compared to years past.The NBA playoffs, Monday Night Football, MLB, NCAA Football, and some other things.
By Kibner Go To PostThe NBA playoffs, Monday Night Football, MLB, and some other things.Could have sworn MNF was losing them money or barely breaking even. And I guess the northeast is why MLB makes them money.
By Slizz Go To PostCould have sworn MNF was losing them money or barely breaking even. And I guess the northeast is why MLB makes them money.The MNF contract also gives them the rights to show whatever NFL footage they want (short of full games) on any of their shows.
Terrible times at ESPN, hope they land on their feed.
I'm mostly done with ESPN, if it wasn't for Lebatard/Stu and Bomani, I would have no reason to tune in.
ESPN knows they need to revamp their efforts in the cord-cutting and streaming era, I can't imagine these are the last we've seen of these type of moves.
I'm mostly done with ESPN, if it wasn't for Lebatard/Stu and Bomani, I would have no reason to tune in.
ESPN knows they need to revamp their efforts in the cord-cutting and streaming era, I can't imagine these are the last we've seen of these type of moves.
It's hard to feel bad for ESPN. They kept a lot of terrible people on because the terrible things they said drove controversy and as a result, hits / views. They were essentially stooges for the leagues they covered. Both those things have long been known to alienate gen-x and younger.
And they were incredibly resistant to change.
Plethora of reasons for that.
ESPN should have been the driving force in all things online media. But they never really bothered to tackle it seriously.
And they were incredibly resistant to change.
Plethora of reasons for that.
ESPN should have been the driving force in all things online media. But they never really bothered to tackle it seriously.
By giririsss Go To PostIt's hard to feel bad for ESPN. They kept a lot of terrible people on because the terrible things they said drove controversy and as a result, hits / views. They were essentially stooges for the leagues they covered. Both those things have long been known to alienate gen-x and younger.Those generally aren't the people being let go, though. Those guys are staying on.
And they were incredibly resistant to change.
Plethora of reasons for that.
ESPN should have been the driving force in all things online media. But they never really bothered to tackle it seriously.
I think this gets the general gist of it right.
http://deadspin.com/espns-latest-layoffs-are-just-a-way-to-buy-time-1794678629
Letting go of these on air talents are one thing, but who's the senior exec getting the axe?
If they want to run a leaner shop they need to look into corporate overhead, and not make their product worse.
http://deadspin.com/espns-latest-layoffs-are-just-a-way-to-buy-time-1794678629
Letting go of these on air talents are one thing, but who's the senior exec getting the axe?
If they want to run a leaner shop they need to look into corporate overhead, and not make their product worse.
By Kibner Go To PostThose generally aren't the people being let go, though. Those guys are staying on.Right. But i'm not talking about the people being let go, but the company.
Wow, they really did kick Henry Abott to the curb, too. He was super instrumental ten years ago into bringing sports blogging into the forefront.
By jjasper Go To PostAdd Marc Stein to the listWOW. That's huge.
Marc Stein basically covered the whole pacific and northwest divisions. Really closely.
I thought Marc would be one of the very few to stay. But if he's gone ... not sure what there's going to be left at ESPN.
By HasphatsAnts Go To PostIf they want to run a leaner shop they need to look into corporate overhead, and not make their product worse.That's never how it works.
The cuts are mostly symbolic. They're a signal to shareholders that "we're serious about being leaner and meaner in the future." All these salaries hardly make a dent in ESPN's overall budget picture.
Awful stuff.
This is the sort of purge that creates new opposition tbh.
How does this not start a new podcast network that is in pure opposition to ESPN.
And if The Ringer pics up Stein and maybe Lowe again?
How does this not start a new podcast network that is in pure opposition to ESPN.
And if The Ringer pics up Stein and maybe Lowe again?
ESPN is pretty much paving the way for a competing network, especially podcast network.
Still can't believe they let Stein go.
Still can't believe they let Stein go.
By KingGondo Go To PostI don't know if someone like Marc Stein fits what the Ringer is trying to do.Stein has a ton of knowledge.
It's not really ringer style at the moment. But if he's out there, you'd sort of have to test the waters.
I mean, he's probably going to Yahoo with Woj. But if the ringer had news (and not just game reports, but news) along with their long form stuff ... Would you really bother going to ESPN?
That assumes that Yahoo is interested in expanding their NBA coverage. It's been rumored for a while that ESPN has been wooing Woj.
Maybe they figure they can afford to lose guys like Stein and Abbott if they hire the Schefter of the NBA.
I don't really check specific platforms anyways. I follow people on Twitter and go to wherever they link.
Maybe they figure they can afford to lose guys like Stein and Abbott if they hire the Schefter of the NBA.
I don't really check specific platforms anyways. I follow people on Twitter and go to wherever they link.
I kinda wonder when the axe is falling on Lowe. He writes great articles that at this point don't really go with what Espn is doing.
And I agree that Marc would good on the Vertical
And I agree that Marc would good on the Vertical
Same with Barnwell. At least he's probably somewhat safe because ESPN is much more committed to the NFL than they are the NBA.
By jjasper Go To PostI kinda wonder when the axe is falling on Lowe. He writes great articles that at this point don't really go with what Espn is doing.
And I agree that Marc would good on the Vertical
He just re-upped with ESPN last year so he's safe for at least another year. He's the best they got so when he leaves it's a wrap
By HasphatsAnts Go To PostHe just re-upped with ESPN last year so he's safe for at least another year. He's the best they got so when he leaves it's a wrapLowe's the best nba writer right now IMO, espn is very lucky they were able to get him through grantland. if they drop him, they're done for
He is easily the best but at the same time while the rest of ESPNs talent is screaming about the same stupid arguements for the 100000 time. He is writing about how good KATs footwork is on the high PNR. It just doesn't match with what they are doing.