ESPN To Let 300 Employees Go
The cull that has been happening across Disney and its affiliates is now reaching ESPN. Today, an article in the New York Post shared a statement released by the Sports Network to employees announcing that 300 people across its business would be laid off. It also announced that they company will not be filling the 200 currently open positions within the organization due to the strains that COVID-19 has put on the business.
According to the piece in the Post, the layoffs will not be focused on any one department but rather will be spread across the network. However, it is believed that many of the well-known on-air personalities will keep their positions with the network. although ESPN has been scrutinizing contracts in recent months and even letting some expire.
One such example is NFL Draft host Trey Wingo. Disney has announced that they will not be extending his contract when it runs out.
In the statement, which we’ll show in its entirety below Pitaro said, “We are parting ways with many exceptional teammates, all of whom have made important contributions to ESPN.” He continues, “These are not easy decisions, and we will work hard to make their transitions easier.”
Oakland, CA – December 25, 2015 – Oracle Arena: Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Mike Breen prior to the 2015 NBA Christmas Day game
(Photo by Peter DaSilva / ESPN Images)
As we’ve previously reported here at MickeyBlog, Disney and ESPN are trying to shift more of their business to direct-to-consumer. ESPN+ is one such example which last reported 8.5 million subscribers.
Also, as the network adapts to the pandemic, they have created new ways to deliver content without as many people. As of going to print Disney is still focused on ESPN and ABC and the companies are still in talks to by the rights (which will cost an estimated $2 billion) for Monday Night Football.
Rumors of layoffs at ESPN have been swirling since the start of the pandemic. It is estimated that the company has around 6,000 employees. Here’s a look at the official statement that went out to employees from Pitaro:
Dear colleagues,
As you know, we value transparency in our internal dialogue, and that means in both good and challenging times. After much consideration, I have some difficult organizational decisions to share. We will be reducing our workforce, impacting approximately 300 valued team members, in addition to 200 open positions.
Today is hard because ESPN has always been — and will always be — fortified by its fantastic people. Teamwork, dedication, spirit and grit have built this place and are what make ESPN special.
Prior to the pandemic, we had been deeply engaged in strategizing how best to position ESPN for future success amidst tremendous disruption in how fans consume sports. The pandemic’s significant impact on our business clearly accelerated those forward-looking discussions. In the short term, we enacted various steps like executive and talent salary reductions, furloughs and budget cuts, and we implemented innovative operations and production approaches, all in an effort to weather the COVID storm.
We have, however, reached an inflection point. The speed at which change is occurring requires great urgency, and we must now deliver on serving sports fans in a myriad of new ways. Placing resources in support of our direct-to-consumer business strategy, digital, and, of course, continued innovative television experiences, is more critical than ever.
However, building a successful future in a changing world means facing hard choices. Making informed decisions about how and where we need to go – and, as always, in the most efficient way possible – is by far the most challenging job of any leadership team. And, while it must be done looking through a business lens, it also must be done with great respect and genuine concern for people.
We are parting ways with some exceptional team members – some of whom have been here for a long time – and all of whom have made important contributions to ESPN. We’re very grateful for all they’ve meant to us, and I assure you we are taking steps to make their transitions easier.
I am proud of the people at ESPN. Together, we have overcome tremendous challenges and adversity over these past several months and please know that the decisions and plans executed today were not made lightly. They are, however, necessary and I am convinced that we will move forward and effectively navigate this unprecedented disruption.
Our Human Resources and Communications teams will continue to keep you posted on any updates, and you’ll be hearing more detail about our future direction in the next few weeks. In the meantime, if you have questions about anything outlined in this note, please do not hesitate to raise them with your leadership team or HR Business Partner.
With gratitude,
Jimmy
Image Credit: ESPN
This is a story that we’ll continue to follow closely here at MickeyBlog. Readers are encouraged to keep following along with us for further news and updates.
Source: New York Post
