ESPN Layoffs Expected to Hit in Rounds of Three, Impact NBA Staffers

It’s been known for some time that ESPN is facing another round of layoffs, with a Disney source telling Hoops Wire at least some of those who provide NBA coverage will be impacted.

Disney is ESPN’s parent company, and it appears the start of those job cuts is near. Meanwhile, ESPN declined to comment when reached by Hoops Wire.

All of the layoffs could occur in three separate rounds, per Andrew Marchand of the New York Post.

Marchand added that some employees may be given the option of being laid off or staying in their current position with pay cuts of up to 50 percent.

“I think they’re happening relatively soon, I think there’s going to be three rounds, from what I understand,” Marchand said on Marchand and Ourand Sports Media Podcast with John Ourand of Sports Business Journal.

“In the first round, there’s probably going to be less [on-air] talent, probably more normal people and executives, potentially. We’re speaking now, going into the podcast, and I don’t know exactly, I’ve heard different things about when the first will come in, but then I think there will be two other rounds of layoffs.”

The first round of the layoffs could focus on people working behind the scenes, as opposed to on-air talent, Marchand added.

Disney is expected to slash 7,000 jobs and $5.5 billion in costs, per Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports.

Noted ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith mentioned the looming layoffs during his K[no]w Mercy podcast, as relayed by McCarthy.

“Have you all been paying attention to the business landscape? Disney itself announced that over 7,000 employees are going to be let go,” Smith said. “ESPN is under the Disney umbrella. They’re going to have cuts coming. 

“Hell, for all I know, I might be one of them. Now, I doubt that. But it’s possible. No one knows.”