Karl Ravech, Tom Pelissero among ESPN layoffs in latest round of cuts: Sources - The Athletic - The New York Times
ESPN has initiated a new round of layoffs, impacting prominent on-air personalities including Karl Ravech, a fixture on the network for over three decades, and NFL insider Tom Pelissero. These dismissals follow the finalization of ESPN‘s acquisition of NFL Network in January, with many of the cuts primarily affecting personnel at the NFL Network‘s Los Angeles operations.
The network’s parent company, Disney, is also anticipated to conduct its own series of layoffs. This marks another instance of significant workforce reductions at ESPN, which has seen several rounds of cuts since 2015. Despite these changes, ESPN maintains a robust portfolio of major sporting events, such as the upcoming Super Bowl in February, the NBA Finals, and the College Football Playoff.
Impact on On-Air Talent
Among the notable individuals impacted by the recent cuts is Ryan Clark, an NFL analyst. Reports indicate that ESPN had initially planned to inform Clark of his dismissal on Tuesday, but media inquiries led the network to accelerate the notification to Monday, during a broadcast of “NFL Live.” Clark, who joined ESPN in 2015, did not complete the show after being informed of the decision. He had been a contributor to several of the network’s top programs, including “NFL Live,” “SportsCenter,” and “First Take.”
Karl Ravech, 61, has been a leading voice for ESPN‘s Major League Baseball coverage, hosting “Baseball Tonight” and calling college basketball games. He also served as a longtime “SportsCenter” anchor, having joined the network in 1993. His most recent on-air appearance was calling Monday’s Phillies-Dodgers game in Philadelphia.
Other personalities expected to be affected include former NFL MVP Cam Newton, longtime “SportsCenter” anchor David Lloyd, injury expert Stephania Bell, former All-Pro linebacker and talk show host Bart Scott, and NFL Network analyst Charles Davis. News regarding the layoffs of Bell, Lloyd, and Scott was initially reported by Front Office Sports, while Outkick first mentioned the decision concerning Newton.
Integration and Restructuring
The layoffs are largely connected to the integration of NFL Network assets into ESPN. In an internal memo issued on Tuesday, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro stated that the network has made considerable progress in integrating these assets. He also noted that while most job impacts are tied to the acquisition, other parts of the company would also see positions affected.
The acquisition involved a series of agreements that granted the NFL a 10 percent stake in ESPN. Over the past six months, ESPN has been working to coordinate operations between its bases in Bristol and New York with the NFL Network‘s Los Angeles facility. On the NFL Network side, Tom Pelissero had been a prominent figure. With the combined presence of ESPN‘s Adam Schefter and NFLN‘s Ian Rapoport, ESPN decided to move on from Pelissero.
Charles Davis, a long-standing draft analyst for NFL Network, is also expected to be impacted. He remains with CBS, where he was recently elevated to the role of the top college football analyst for Big Ten afternoon games. Previously, Davis was part of CBS‘s second-tier NFL crew until the last season.
David Lloyd has been a dedicated professional at ESPN since 1997, consistently appearing on “SportsCenter” throughout his tenure. Stephania Bell, who had been with ESPN for nearly 20 years, established herself as an injury expert, a role she pioneered before it became more widespread in sports broadcasting. Cam Newton had a brief stint with ESPN, having signed a new multiyear deal last August to continue his appearances on “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith. Bart Scott‘s post-playing media career has included roles on CBS‘s “NFL Today” studio show, a radio position in New York, and appearances on ESPN programs like “Get Up” and “First Take.”
These changes reflect the ongoing restructuring within ESPN as it integrates new assets and adapts to the evolving media landscape. The network has faced several rounds of layoffs since 2015, a period that has seen shifts in the media industry.
Source: nytimes.com
