The effects of 2020 seems to have impacted ESPN with an announcement of future layoffs. While the sports network channel was able to provide some content during the initial phase of the pandemic with little to no sports it was not able to avoid the effects. Even with the NBA, MLB, and the NFL returning after shutdowns it did little for ratings. Of course a network relies on viewership for ad revenue but with advertisers reeling back it has forced ESPN to adjust its staff. This news comes via Richard Deitsch which he shared a memo that was sent from ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro.
ESPN just sent out this note from Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. https://t.co/0TKjSuJ07L pic.twitter.com/qTlK6MBbjo
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) November 5, 2020
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From the memo ESPN is expected to announce layoffs this week, possibly as soon as Thursday. The total of layoffs will be up to 300 current employees and 200 open positions will not be filled. It is speculated that remote production is expected to be hit significantly while some of the cost savings will come from talent contracts not being renewed. Pitaro announced that the studio, prior to the pandemic, was already looking at reorganizing some positions. The studio has been reducing its staff and big contracts since the early 2010’s when the studio started to see a decline in ratings.
Source: Richard Deitsch via Twitter
