Sports TV News
ESPN Layoffs Have Begun, Here’s What We Know
Published
2 years agoon
By
BSM Staff
ESPN will cut 300 jobs and leave 200 open positions unfilled. It is part of the Walt Disney Company’s restructuring to focus more on its direct-to-consumer digital products. Also at the heart of these layoffs appears to be ESPN’s desire to add more NFL play-by-play and the need to free up money to make that a reality.
We are keeping an updated list of folks that we know are out in Bristol. These are some of the best people in the industry at what they do.
Ivan Maisel – College Football Writer (Contract not renewed, will exit in January)
I came to work at ESPN 18 years ago today, on Nov. 5, 2002, as the first college football writer at https://t.co/01M4kGwztH. On the day that my employment became an adult, ESPN informed me that upon expiration of my contract on Jan. 31, I will no longer be working here. 1/
— Ivan Maisel (@Ivan_Maisel) November 5, 2020
Vince Kates – Radio Producer
‘Do what you love, Love what you do’.
— Vincent Kates (@VinceKates) November 9, 2020
I did for almost 21 years to the day, before getting that call. Proud of my role in the most successful years at ESPN Radio and excited for the next chapter…and to again love what I do. Love to all the incredibly talented people affected
Seth Horwitz – Content Producer
1) Unfortunately, my 20-year ESPN career is coming to an end. I was blessed to have a great run, working with so many talented people. I had a dream job and loved every day I was there. My memories are fond and I feel fortunate to have all the great opportunities I did.
— Seth Horwitz (@SethMHorwitz) November 5, 2020
Elida Wiithoeft – Coordinating Editor
I'm sorry about all of the vitriol over the ESPN layoffs on Twitter today. I'm one of the people who lost my job. I worked there more than 22 years. I'm luckier than most. A lot of good people are losing their jobs. It's nothing to celebrate. It's a very sad day in Bristol.
— Elida Witthoeft (@elidawitthoeft) November 5, 2020
Chris Cote – Dan Le Batard Show Producer
I’m saddened to announce that I was part of the ESPN layoffs that took place last week. I’m forever grateful for the genuinely good people I got to know and work with over the last 5 years…
— Chris Cote (@ChrisCoteDKings) November 8, 2020
Chris Peters – NHL Draft and Prospects Analyst
Sad to say I am one of those caught in ESPN’s cuts today. Could not be more thankful to have had the chance to work with some incredible people. Got to live my dream for a few years and do some of the best work of my career. Still have some stuff coming before I’m done, too.
— Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) November 5, 2020
Mike Antoniou- ESPN Radio Producer
After 13 years at @ESPNRadio I was part of the layoffs today Thank you to all the co-workers who made the job a blast & odd hours seem normal. Thanks to all the hosts that entertained me while making me a better producer. Will cherish my time there forever. On to bigger & better. pic.twitter.com/vBYL38KeNh
— Mike Antoniou (@MikeASports) November 5, 2020
Arty Berko – Investigative Reporter
Ali Bronson – ESPN Radio Producer
ESPN was the dream. It was the only job I ever talked about wanting as a little girl. I got to live out my dream for 13 years and it was everything I dreamed of. I will forever be proud of the work I did. I’m heartbroken that I was part of the layoffs today…
— Ali Bronson (@AliBronsonPods) November 6, 2020
Sean Morrison – eSports Writer
Hey, everyone. Unfortunately, I just found out that I am being laid off. I'm not sure what comes next. For now, I'm just reflecting on how proud I am of this group and the growth @ESPN_Esports had this year. Being here for it is one of the highlights of my journalism career.
— Sean Morrison (@sean_morrison) November 5, 2020
Ashley Braband – Content Producer
Got the layoff call. Over the last 13 years I’ve been lucky to make some really cool stuff w/some really talented people. (Big thanks to SN, Bldg 5, Always Late, and the Sports? family.) I don’t know what’s next yet, beyond bringing this bottle of wine with me into the bathtub ❤️
— Ashley Braband (@AshleyBraband) November 6, 2020
Brian Bencomo – eSports Writer
Emily Rand – eSports Writer
Hi all, I've just received word that my contract with ESPN will not be renewed for 2021. I'm sad for all of my colleagues at ESPN who have also been affected by this round of layoffs and additionally thankful for the opportunity to have worked with such amazing people.
— Emily Rand (@leagueofemily) November 6, 2020
Pauk Kix – Writer/Podcaster
Claire Smith – Baseball Writer
In 1981, I wrote a sidebar at a @Phillies game— my first baseball byline. Wanted to reach a 40th season of coverage, but heck, if 39 was good enough for Campy, it’s good enough for me. I thank @ESPN & the amazing friends/family there for an extraordinary 13 years. I 💖 you all.
— Claire Smith ⚾️ (@MzCSmith) November 6, 2020
Howard Chen – Producer/Reporter (Contract not renewed)
Just got the call from @espn. It's been a pleasure. Still got a few months left. Life comes at you fast
— Howard Chen 陈定豪 (@TheHoChen) November 5, 2020
Jim Barrero – ESPN.com Senior Editor
Add me to the list. I've survived countless rounds of layoffs in my 30 years in journalism, but not the one today at ESPN. I am so proud to work on a copy desk with so many wonderful people and I will miss the camaraderie and the chemistry we had. Free agency is in the future.
— Jim Barrero (@jimbarrero) November 6, 2020
Ty Wegner – Writer/Editor
I'm sorry to report that I was one of the hundreds of people who lost their job at ESPN today. I have nothing but affection for everyone I worked with there the past 10 years. If anyone needs a tireless editor who's passionate about storytelling, reach me at: we*******@gm***.com.
— Ty Wenger (@TyWenger) November 5, 2020
Lisa James – Producer
(1/2) I’m one of the people at ESPN who lost their job. I worked there for almost 16 years. I am not interested in bitterness. At ESPN, I got to work with my sports idol @MagicJohnson for years. I got to produce NBA Countdown and go to 12 NBA finals as a researcher and producer.
— Lisa James (@LisaJames32) November 5, 2020
Jody Roberts – Highlight Producer
I started at ESPN when I was 20 and fresh out of college; it’s the only job I’ve ever known. You move to Bristol not knowing anyone, and the people you meet truly become your family. After nearly 8 years, today I was let go in the ESPN layoffs. 1/3
— jodybobs (@jodybobs) November 5, 2020
Tom Tischio – Producer/Editor
Hey all. Unfortunately I was one of the many to be affected by the layoffs at ESPN. I've worked in all facets of production at @ESPN_Esports and I am proud of the work I got to do there. If you're looking for a producer/video editor you can reach me at ti*********@gm***.com. ❤️
— Thomas Tischio (@tischphotos) November 6, 2020
Sports TV News
ESPN Sees Larger Than Average Audience For Big City Greens Classic
Published
21 hours agoon
March 17, 2023By
BSM Staff ESPN aired Tuesday night’s New York Rangers and Washington Capitals game. DisneyXD and Disney Channel aired an alternate broadcast that included players being 3D animated to resemble the cast of Disney Channel’s popular cartoon Big City Greens. It turned into a ratings win for the networks.
The alternate broadcast featured players animated in real time to mimic what was happening on the Madison Square Garden ice. Players were equipped with special chips in the padding to aid the animation, and special pucks were used to ensure a smooth transition from video to computer-animated graphics.
An average of 589,000 viewers tuned into the game on ESPN. Meanwhile, nearly 175,000 watched the broadcast between Disney Channel and DisneyXD.
The figure for ESPN represents its largest NHL broadcast since a November 1st broadcast featuring the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins.
The combined total for the broadcast — 765,000 — outdrew the World Baseball Classic broadcasts but did not top the NCAA Tournament’s First Four round that was broadcast on truTV.
Sports TV News
Greg Gumbel: I’m Lucky That I’ve Never Been Fired
“I worked for some people who didn’t like me, I’ve worked for some people I didn’t like. It’s a strange business, there’s no doubt.”
Published
22 hours agoon
March 17, 2023By
Ricky Keeler This week, it was announced that Greg Gumbel will no longer be a play-by-play announcer for the NFL on CBS after working on CBS’s NFL coverage every year since 1998. Gumbel has had an illustrious career and he takes pride in the fact that one thing has never happened to him.
Gumbel was a guest on the Tell Me A Story I Don’t Know podcast with George Ofman (Part 2 from an interview back in September) and he told Ofman that while he has never been fired before, but he doesn’t think broadcasters should be embarrassed when they get fired because of what the business is.
“It’s the nature of the business. I honestly think I’ve been extremely fortunate in that I’ve never been fired in a business that is known for firings. Being fired in this business is no shame, no embarrassment because it’s a subjective business. Because this guy at this network likes my work, it doesn’t mean that this guy at that network does. It’s extremely subjective and if you can buy that and understand it the way it is, then it shouldn’t bother you at all.
“It’s never happened to me. If it had, it would not have surprised me. I worked for some people who didn’t like me, I’ve worked for some people I didn’t like. It’s a strange business, there’s no doubt.”
Gumbel has been the host of CBS’s NCAA Tournament coverage for the last 25 years and he knows it’s a job that he is very grateful to have.
“I know there are people who would give their right arm to be sitting there next to Clark Kellogg and Seth Davis on Selection Sunday or sitting next to Kellogg, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley when the tournament begins to talk about what we’ve just seen or what we are going to see. I am never, ever going to take for granted the fact that I have been very fortunate to be able to do that.”
One thing Gumbel tries to avoid whenever he is on air is the mispronunciation of someone’s name because he knows how it feels to have his name distorted accidentally by some people.
“Pronunciations are important to me. There’s been a lifetime of people who may not completely mispronounce my name, but distorting it a little bit from time to time. I never want to do that to an athlete. If I ever mispronounce an athlete’s name, I hear it from his family, I hear it from the school or the team and I apologize for it as soon as I can. I don’t think that is something light or should be taken for granted.”
Toward the end of the interview, Gumbel was asked by Ofman when he will know it will be time to end his career.
“Other people have given it more thought than I have. I think when that time comes around, it will hit me over the head more than I will think about it. There are people who ask me why I still do what I do. The very bottom line is I love it, I enjoy it.”
Ricky Keeler is a reporter for BSM with a primary focus on sports media podcasts and national personalities. He is also an active podcaster with an interest in pursuing a career in sports media. You can find him on Twitter @Rickinator555 or reach him by email at RickJKeeler@gmail.com.
Sports TV News
Diamond Sports Group Misses Arizona Diamondbacks Rights Payment
It is believed that the missed rights payment by Bally Sports Arizona triggers a clause in the contract that reverts the television rights back to the Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball.
Published
23 hours agoon
March 17, 2023By
BSM Staff Last week, Diamond Sports Group — operator of the Bally Sports-branded regional sports networks — claimed it had paid every rights fee it was contractually obligated, except for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
At the time, the company said it had a grace period until it needed to make a payment. That payment was due by Thursday, March 16th at 11:59 PM. That time has come and gone, and the company failed to deliver its fee.
It is believed that the missed rights payment by Bally Sports Arizona triggers a clause in the contract that reverts the television rights back to the Diamondbacks and Major League Baseball.
The Diamondbacks are not the only team affected by the situation. Bally Sports — which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this week — has also reportedly entered a grace period with the San Diego Padres. According to a report from Sports Business Journal, that grace period ends on March 30th, baseball’s Opening Day.
Previous reporting claims that contract is one the network hopes to get out from under. The company loses a reported $20 million per season on its television deal with the Padres. The Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians are the other two baseball franchises the network holds the rights to that it hopes to terminate deals for.
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