Longtime ESPN Employee Got the Axe


Mike Soltys who have been with ESPN since the 80s and is the VP/Corporate Communications got the axe.

Others I could see get the pinkslip soon.
Stephen A. Smith (He admitted that he may not be safe this time around.)
Mina Kimes
Tim Tebow
Troy Aikman
John Anderson
Matt Barrie
Jon Barry
Ray Bentley
Chris Berman
Jay Bilas
Pat Bradley
Tedy Bruschi
Joe Buck
Steve Young
Dan Orlovsky
Kirk Herbstreit
Jesse Palmer
David Pollack
Molly McGrath
Mark Meadows
Barry Melrose
Keith Moreland
Chris Mortenson
Randy Moss
Beth Mowins
Ryan Leaf
Tim Legler
Jalan Rose
Holly Rowe
Jeremy Schaap
Karl Ravech
Adam Schaffer
Pete Thamel
Bob Valvano
Jeff Van Gundy
Scott Van Pelt
Dick Vitale
Stan Verrett
Bill Walton
Andre Ware
Steve Levy
Rebecca Lobo
Tom Luginbill
Buck Martinez
Trevor Matich
Pat McAfee
Josh McCown
Greg McEnroe
John McEnroe
PJ Carlesimo
Linda Cohn
Vince Carter
Chris Connelly
Lee Corso
Bart Conner
Brad Edwards
Chris Evert
Paul Finebaum
Joey Galloway
LZ Granderson
Mike Greenberg
RG3
The Hassellback brothers
Kirk Herbstreit (since ESPN is losing Big 10 games, why do they need a Big 10 guy?)
Marty Smith (He was more a NASCAR pit reporter, and really don't know much about other sports.)
Kelly Stouffer

This is just a short list, but like I said, everybody is on the table to be cut. Maybe the older talent would be the first to be let go, then people with a large contract and then ones not doing anything that attracts audience like Stephen A. Smith who are making them lose.

(04-24-2023 09:34 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Longtime ESPN Employee Got the Axe


Mike Soltys who have been with ESPN since the 80s and is the VP/Corporate Communications got the axe.

Others I could see get the pinkslip soon.
Stephen A. Smith (He admitted that he may not be safe this time around.)
Mina Kimes
Tim Tebow
Troy Aikman
John Anderson
Matt Barrie
Jon Barry
Ray Bentley
Chris Berman
Jay Bilas
Pat Bradley
Tedy Bruschi
Joe Buck
Steve Young
Dan Orlovsky
Kirk Herbstreit
Jesse Palmer
David Pollack
Molly McGrath
Mark Meadows
Barry Melrose
Keith Moreland
Chris Mortenson
Randy Moss
Beth Mowins
Ryan Leaf
Tim Legler
Jalan Rose
Holly Rowe
Jeremy Schaap
Karl Ravech
Adam Schaffer
Pete Thamel
Bob Valvano
Jeff Van Gundy
Scott Van Pelt
Dick Vitale
Stan Verrett
Bill Walton
Andre Ware
Steve Levy
Rebecca Lobo
Tom Luginbill
Buck Martinez
Trevor Matich
Pat McAfee
Josh McCown
Greg McEnroe
John McEnroe
PJ Carlesimo
Linda Cohn
Vince Carter
Chris Connelly
Lee Corso
Bart Conner
Brad Edwards
Chris Evert
Paul Finebaum
Joey Galloway
LZ Granderson
Mike Greenberg
RG3
The Hassellback brothers
Kirk Herbstreit (since ESPN is losing Big 10 games, why do they need a Big 10 guy?)
Marty Smith (He was more a NASCAR pit reporter, and really don't know much about other sports.)
Kelly Stouffer

This is just a short list, but like I said, everybody is on the table to be cut. Maybe the older talent would be the first to be let go, then people with a large contract and then ones not doing anything that attracts audience like Stephen A. Smith who are making them lose.

Vitale and Corso will be given 'golden parachutes', deservedly so... perhaps Berman as well...

Stephen A. Smith will jump somewhere else pretty easy, I would think - not really a fan of his, but he evidently has his followers...

Beth Mowins will survive... just to hack off all of the folks who hate Beth Mowin (definitely not my fave, but I've heard far worse commentators...)

Finebaum has probably the biggest show on all the ESPN networks, so no worries for him (might have to take a pay cut, tho...) ...and Tebow may hang on, as he seems popular on the SEC gameday - not sure if they will tinker much with the SEC stuff, although widespread layoffs require 'all departments' to 'share the pain', so who knows... hopefully Laura Rutledge hangs on...

but if this whole list is 'on the block', then who is left? Might as well have 'cattle call' auditions for a new fleet of folks...

So David St pretty much just listed all the ESPN employees he knows.

(04-24-2023 09:46 PM)stever20 Wrote:  So David St pretty much just listed all the ESPN employees he knows.

...I'm glad he didn't know Laura Rutledge...

(04-24-2023 09:46 PM)stever20 Wrote:  So David St pretty much just listed all the ESPN employees he knows.

Noticing a pattern here

(04-24-2023 09:46 PM)stever20 Wrote:  So David St pretty much just listed all the ESPN employees he knows.

These people I listed have the biggest paychecks from ESPN. They said a lot of people are going get laidoff including a lot of on-air personalities. ESPN, SEC, ACC, ESPN 2, ESPN U, ESPN +, the MLB people, the NBA people, the NHL people, the pro tennis, PGA, MLS etc all departments will have to have a haircut. WWE may be lost forever on NBC/Universal/USA Networks, but could find their home on ESPN since WWE does their own production, and that UFC parent company bought Vince out.

Andrea Adelson inherits the earth.

I like it.

Damn. DavidSt is really talented at listing ESPN employees who could be laid off.

(04-24-2023 09:34 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Longtime ESPN Employee Got the Axe


Mike Soltys who have been with ESPN since the 80s and is the VP/Corporate Communications got the axe.

Others I could see get the pinkslip soon.
Stephen A. Smith (He admitted that he may not be safe this time around.)
Mina Kimes
Tim Tebow
Troy Aikman
John Anderson
Matt Barrie
Jon Barry
Ray Bentley
Chris Berman
Jay Bilas
Pat Bradley
Tedy Bruschi
Joe Buck
Steve Young
Dan Orlovsky
Kirk Herbstreit
Jesse Palmer
David Pollack
Molly McGrath
Mark Meadows
Barry Melrose
Keith Moreland
Chris Mortenson
Randy Moss
Beth Mowins
Ryan Leaf
Tim Legler
Jalan Rose
Holly Rowe
Jeremy Schaap
Karl Ravech
Adam Schaffer
Pete Thamel
Bob Valvano
Jeff Van Gundy
Scott Van Pelt
Dick Vitale
Stan Verrett
Bill Walton
Andre Ware
Steve Levy
Rebecca Lobo
Tom Luginbill
Buck Martinez
Trevor Matich
Pat McAfee
Josh McCown
Greg McEnroe
John McEnroe
PJ Carlesimo
Linda Cohn
Vince Carter
Chris Connelly
Lee Corso
Bart Conner
Brad Edwards
Chris Evert
Paul Finebaum
Joey Galloway
LZ Granderson
Mike Greenberg
RG3
The Hassellback brothers
Kirk Herbstreit (since ESPN is losing Big 10 games, why do they need a Big 10 guy?)
Marty Smith (He was more a NASCAR pit reporter, and really don't know much about other sports.)
Kelly Stouffer

This is just a short list, but like I said, everybody is on the table to be cut. Maybe the older talent would be the first to be let go, then people with a large contract and then ones not doing anything that attracts audience like Stephen A. Smith who are making them lose.

They just signed Bucksuck and Aikman. Duration remaining on deal has to be a factor.

(04-24-2023 09:44 PM)GreenFreakUAB Wrote:  

(04-24-2023 09:34 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Longtime ESPN Employee Got the Axe


Mike Soltys who have been with ESPN since the 80s and is the VP/Corporate Communications got the axe.

Others I could see get the pinkslip soon.
Stephen A. Smith (He admitted that he may not be safe this time around.)
Mina Kimes
Tim Tebow
Troy Aikman
John Anderson
Matt Barrie
Jon Barry
Ray Bentley
Chris Berman
Jay Bilas
Pat Bradley
Tedy Bruschi
Joe Buck
Steve Young
Dan Orlovsky
Kirk Herbstreit
Jesse Palmer
David Pollack
Molly McGrath
Mark Meadows
Barry Melrose
Keith Moreland
Chris Mortenson
Randy Moss
Beth Mowins
Ryan Leaf
Tim Legler
Jalan Rose
Holly Rowe
Jeremy Schaap
Karl Ravech
Adam Schaffer
Pete Thamel
Bob Valvano
Jeff Van Gundy
Scott Van Pelt
Dick Vitale
Stan Verrett
Bill Walton
Andre Ware
Steve Levy
Rebecca Lobo
Tom Luginbill
Buck Martinez
Trevor Matich
Pat McAfee
Josh McCown
Greg McEnroe
John McEnroe
PJ Carlesimo
Linda Cohn
Vince Carter
Chris Connelly
Lee Corso
Bart Conner
Brad Edwards
Chris Evert
Paul Finebaum
Joey Galloway
LZ Granderson
Mike Greenberg
RG3
The Hassellback brothers
Kirk Herbstreit (since ESPN is losing Big 10 games, why do they need a Big 10 guy?)
Marty Smith (He was more a NASCAR pit reporter, and really don't know much about other sports.)
Kelly Stouffer

This is just a short list, but like I said, everybody is on the table to be cut. Maybe the older talent would be the first to be let go, then people with a large contract and then ones not doing anything that attracts audience like Stephen A. Smith who are making them lose.

Vitale and Corso will be given 'golden parachutes', deservedly so... perhaps Berman as well...

Stephen A. Smith will jump somewhere else pretty easy, I would think - not really a fan of his, but he evidently has his followers...

Beth Mowins will survive... just to hack off all of the folks who hate Beth Mowin (definitely not my fave, but I've heard far worse commentators...)

Finebaum has probably the biggest show on all the ESPN networks, so no worries for him (might have to take a pay cut, tho...) ...and Tebow may hang on, as he seems popular on the SEC gameday - not sure if they will tinker much with the SEC stuff, although widespread layoffs require 'all departments' to 'share the pain', so who knows... hopefully Laura Rutledge hangs on...

but if this whole list is 'on the block', then who is left? Might as well have 'cattle call' auditions for a new fleet of folks...

Maybe Stephen A. will go to Fox--I know, sounds crazy, but Sean Hannity interviewed him recently, regarding his upbringing and how hard he had to work to get ahead. Sounded like they were friendly if not friends.

(04-24-2023 09:34 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Longtime ESPN Employee Got the Axe


Mike Soltys who have been with ESPN since the 80s and is the VP/Corporate Communications got the axe.

Others I could see get the pinkslip soon.
Stephen A. Smith (He admitted that he may not be safe this time around.)
Mina Kimes
Tim Tebow
Troy Aikman
John Anderson
Matt Barrie
Jon Barry
Ray Bentley
Chris Berman
Jay Bilas
Pat Bradley
Tedy Bruschi
Joe Buck
Steve Young
Dan Orlovsky
Kirk Herbstreit
Jesse Palmer
David Pollack
Molly McGrath
Mark Meadows
Barry Melrose
Keith Moreland
Chris Mortenson
Randy Moss
Beth Mowins
Ryan Leaf
Tim Legler
Jalan Rose
Holly Rowe
Jeremy Schaap
Karl Ravech
Adam Schaffer
Pete Thamel
Bob Valvano
Jeff Van Gundy
Scott Van Pelt
Dick Vitale
Stan Verrett
Bill Walton
Andre Ware
Steve Levy
Rebecca Lobo
Tom Luginbill
Buck Martinez
Trevor Matich
Pat McAfee
Josh McCown
Greg McEnroe
John McEnroe
PJ Carlesimo
Linda Cohn
Vince Carter
Chris Connelly
Lee Corso
Bart Conner
Brad Edwards
Chris Evert
Paul Finebaum
Joey Galloway
LZ Granderson
Mike Greenberg
RG3
The Hassellback brothers
Kirk Herbstreit (since ESPN is losing Big 10 games, why do they need a Big 10 guy?)
Marty Smith (He was more a NASCAR pit reporter, and really don't know much about other sports.)
Kelly Stouffer

This is just a short list, but like I said, everybody is on the table to be cut. Maybe the older talent would be the first to be let go, then people with a large contract and then ones not doing anything that attracts audience like Stephen A. Smith who are making them lose.

Look at the bold. I actually have to agree with DavidSt on this one. If ESPN isn't broadcasting any more B1G games, why on earth do they have Kirk Herbstreit?? Wouldn't he be a better fit on Fox who actually televises the B1G??

Most of those let go will be low level people no one ever sees. Last I heard was 1500 total.

(04-24-2023 09:34 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Longtime ESPN Employee Got the Axe


Mike Soltys who have been with ESPN since the 80s and is the VP/Corporate Communications got the axe.

Others I could see get the pinkslip soon.
Stephen A. Smith (He admitted that he may not be safe this time around.)
Mina Kimes
Tim Tebow
Troy Aikman
John Anderson
Matt Barrie
Jon Barry
Ray Bentley
Chris Berman
Jay Bilas
Pat Bradley
Tedy Bruschi
Joe Buck
Steve Young
Dan Orlovsky
Kirk Herbstreit
Jesse Palmer
David Pollack
Molly McGrath
Mark Meadows
Barry Melrose
Keith Moreland
Chris Mortenson
Randy Moss
Beth Mowins
Ryan Leaf
Tim Legler
Jalan Rose
Holly Rowe
Jeremy Schaap
Karl Ravech
Adam Schaffer
Pete Thamel
Bob Valvano
Jeff Van Gundy
Scott Van Pelt
Dick Vitale
Stan Verrett
Bill Walton
Andre Ware
Steve Levy
Rebecca Lobo
Tom Luginbill
Buck Martinez
Trevor Matich
Pat McAfee
Josh McCown
Greg McEnroe
John McEnroe
PJ Carlesimo
Linda Cohn
Vince Carter
Chris Connelly
Lee Corso
Bart Conner
Brad Edwards
Chris Evert
Paul Finebaum
Joey Galloway
LZ Granderson
Mike Greenberg
RG3
The Hassellback brothers
Kirk Herbstreit (since ESPN is losing Big 10 games, why do they need a Big 10 guy?)
Marty Smith (He was more a NASCAR pit reporter, and really don't know much about other sports.)
Kelly Stouffer

This is just a short list, but like I said, everybody is on the table to be cut. Maybe the older talent would be the first to be let go, then people with a large contract and then ones not doing anything that attracts audience like Stephen A. Smith who are making them lose.

Holy crap, all these people might be moving up to FBS?

Now we have to keep a tally this week and see what DavidSt's batting average is. Will he be below the Mendoza line or Tony Gwynn level hall of famer?

I doubt they get rid of any of the NFL live people, Clark, Kimes, Swagu, Orv, Rutledge. Not Finebaum, Scheffter, SVP. The really old guys will not get canned just do cameos, Boomer, Corso, Vitale. Not Barrie, Galloway, Palmer(Only if he wants to do reality hosting full time). Not Aikman, Buck. Melrose, Levy and Bucci should stay w/ their commitment to NHL. I Think they'll keep RG3, Marty Smith, Bilas

(04-25-2023 12:34 AM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  I doubt they get rid of any of the NFL live people, Clark, Kimes, Swagu, Orv, Rutledge. Not Finebaum, Scheffter, SVP. The really old guys will not get canned just do cameos, Boomer, Corso, Vitale. Not Barrie, Galloway, Palmer(Only if he wants to do reality hosting full time). Not Aikman, Buck. Melrose, Levy and Bucci should stay w/ their commitment to NHL. I Think they'll keep RG3, Marty Smith, Bilas

Marty Smith is NASCAR guy, and not really needed unless they use him for that new series that Tony Stewart created that ESPN won the rights to show this year.

(04-25-2023 12:45 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(04-25-2023 12:34 AM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  I doubt they get rid of any of the NFL live people, Clark, Kimes, Swagu, Orv, Rutledge. Not Finebaum, Scheffter, SVP. The really old guys will not get canned just do cameos, Boomer, Corso, Vitale. Not Barrie, Galloway, Palmer(Only if he wants to do reality hosting full time). Not Aikman, Buck. Melrose, Levy and Bucci should stay w/ their commitment to NHL. I Think they'll keep RG3, Marty Smith, Bilas

Marty Smith is NASCAR guy, and not really needed unless they use him for that new series that Tony Stewart created that ESPN won the rights to show this year.

Then you don't know espn. I never watch nascar ever. Marty is well into his college football part of his career. He is a guy people want to see and can relate to. You think ESPN wants to kill off its viewers by getting rid of their top sports center guy? Gimme a break.

All you did is make another list w/ damn near everyone on it. The pull the wool over their eyes, posters will think you're a prophet when you get 30% right of on air talent they cut. That's easy to do when you post everyone except the host of the top daily show on ESPN(NFL Live)

Why don't you post just the top 15-20 you think will be cut and let's see how well you know espn.

As long as Dave Pasch and Bill Walton are still there, no one will sound the alarm.

(04-24-2023 09:34 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Longtime ESPN Employee Got the Axe

Mike Soltys who have been with ESPN since the 80s and is the VP/Corporate Communications got the axe.

Others I could see get the pinkslip soon.

<snip>

This is just a short list, but like I said, everybody is on the table to be cut. Maybe the older talent would be the first to be let go, then people with a large contract and then ones not doing anything that attracts audience like Stephen A. Smith who are making them lose.

A "short list"?

I sincerely hope nobody ever goes to your job and lists you on a "Others I could see get the pinkslip soon" laundry list.

It's one thing for people to talk about a specific celebrity host individually - this is a chat board after all. But to make a laundry list?

imnsho, that was tasteless and tactless. These are real people who have families.

In my opinion, you owe them all an apology.

I don't do the negative rep thing, but you almost got it for this post.

(04-25-2023 03:33 AM)Skyhawk Wrote:  

(04-24-2023 09:34 PM)DavidSt Wrote:  Longtime ESPN Employee Got the Axe

Mike Soltys who have been with ESPN since the 80s and is the VP/Corporate Communications got the axe.

Others I could see get the pinkslip soon.

<snip>

This is just a short list, but like I said, everybody is on the table to be cut. Maybe the older talent would be the first to be let go, then people with a large contract and then ones not doing anything that attracts audience like Stephen A. Smith who are making them lose.

A "short list"?

I sincerely hope nobody ever goes to your job and lists you on a "Others I could see get the pinkslip soon" laundry list.

It's one thing for people to talk about a specific celebrity host individually - this is a chat board after all. But to make a laundry list?

imnsho, that was tasteless and tactless. These are real people who have families.

In my opinion, you owe them all an apology.

I don't do the negative rep thing, but you almost got it for this post.

I did not add the well-known ones.