ESPN Layoffs (JVG Let Go)

[Donoghus]

ESPN is in the process of laying off a bunch of camera facing personnel today.  The big leak at the moment is that Jeff Van Gundy has been let go.  ESPN's NBA coverage is pretty garbage to begin but Mark Jackson is the guy that should really be let go.  Sounds like Van Gundy was a victim of his own contract.

[Donoghus]

ESPN has let go its top NBA game analyst Jeff Van Gundy, The Post has learned.

Van Gundy, 61, has been with ESPN for 16 years, calling the Finals with play-by-player Mike Breen and co-game analyst, Mark Jackson.

The Post reported Friday morning ESPN is letting go of around 20 on-air personalities in an effort to save tens of millions of dollars.

Van Gundy’s exact salary is not known, but he was making millions.

Van Gundy has to be considered among the all-time greatest NBA TV game analysts, both by the numbers and his ability.

He ends his ABC/ESPN career just shy of a hundred NBA Finals games.

He has been routinely outspoken about the NBA, including its officiating, while displaying a relaxed demeanor on-air that allowed him to analyze the game thoroughly and provide humor with his sometimes outside-the-box observations.

While Breen is a Hall of Famer and Jackson has his merits, Van Gundy was the one that made the lead booth go.

ESPN is expected to replace Van Gundy on its No. 1 team.

Internally, JJ Redick, Doris Burke and Richard Jefferson are the most likely candidates.

Doc Rivers could be an outside choice; especially if his salary demands are offset by what the Sixers still owe him after firing him as their coach.

Rivers is very close with Breen.

Prior to working at ESPN, Van Gundy was an NBA coaching lifer.

[Kernewek]

'merits' is doing a lot of heavy lifting there.

[Donoghus]

'merits' is doing a lot of heavy lifting there.

Seriously. 

I really hope ESPN loses the rights to the NBA in the next deal.  They are atrocious.  The abomination that was their draft coverage was terrible.  They & TNT are night and day.

[Who]

Good. I am fed up of listening to that trio.

Need some fresh blood in there. Get rid of Mike Breen too. That guy is so bland he is irritating.

[Roy H.]

Yeah, dumping big salary for low salary is the way of the world, regardless of quality.  Even better if you can get rid of an old white man and replace him with a diversity hire.

[SparzWizard]

They should def lose Doris Burke and Mark Jackson.

Hope they don't lose Mike Breen. His "bang" always get me hyped.

TNT crew so much better. Sometimes watching those four are much better than some of the games itself.

[celticinorlando]

Jalen Rose gone also.

Now dump Richard Jefferson, Malika Andrews, Perk, Jay williams please

[Roy H.]

Jalen Rose gone also.

Now dump Richard Jefferson, Malika Andrews, Perk, Jay williams please

I don't mind Malika Andrews.  I didn't mind Rose, either.  Perk is terrible, but I'm sure that his compensation is relatively low, and he gives outrageous opinions that attract eyeballs.

[celticinorlando]

Jalen Rose gone also.

Now dump Richard Jefferson, Malika Andrews, Perk, Jay williams please

I don't mind Malika Andrews.  I didn't mind Rose, either.  Perk is terrible, but I'm sure that his compensation is relatively low, and he gives outrageous opinions that attract eyeballs.

Malika Andrews is so monotone and boring it is like watching paint drying. Plus I do not think she is qualified to be in that big of a role with the network.

[Goldstar88]

They should def lose Doris Burke and Mark Jackson.

Hope they don't lose Mike Breen. His "bang" always get me hyped.

TNT crew so much better. Sometimes watching those four are much better than some of the games itself.

This. They are both god awful.

[JBcat]

They should def lose Doris Burke and Mark Jackson.

Hope they don't lose Mike Breen. His "bang" always get me hyped.

TNT crew so much better. Sometimes watching those four are much better than some of the games itself.

I actually like Doris. I think she has a lot of good insight. The others I’m ready to switch it up.

[snively]

Rivers is great in the booth. He'd be a great get.

[lbgreen33]

ESPN did really well in the days of Cable TV. Now, with so many homes unplugging, it is tough to make money in Network sports. Of course Live Games will always be watched, But features and telling good stories became the first victim of cost cuts. Now, big money hosts.

What will be Next? There just isn't the money to create really good sports programing anymore.
The good old days of sports coverage are disappearing more and more everyday.

Also, the NBA holds all the cards now. They have their own TV Network, They have their own Radio station. There was a time that would have been considered a conflict of interest and approaching a Monopoly!!
But, the NBA is guaranteed money, ESPN is NOT! The NBA can afford to loose money on TV & Radio, ESPN can Not.

If you are looking for a job in Television, I would Look to the League and the Teams. they now have all the money, Not the Networks!!!
I love NBA radio and listen all the time, but remember, they are owned by the NBA! Easy to pay whoever you want. They don't have to rely on Advertising!!

[celticinorlando]

I liked Doris until the Sixer series where she was flat out disappointed the Celtics won the games she was calling.

Can't stand Mark Jackson, Jefferson, Jay Williams and Perk.

Mark Jones and Breen are ok Play by play dudes.