Sports activities betting analyst Doug Kezirian could also be among the many on-air personalities despatched packing by ESPN in a brand new spherical of finances cuts.
Sports activities betting analyst Doug Kezirian. ESPN reportedly received’t renew his contract. (Picture: ESPN)
Varied media shops reported late Monday that Kezirian and boxing analyst Andre Ward had been added to a listing of 20 on-air personalities that sports activities broadcasting community — a unit of Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) — laid off final week. Ward confirmed on Twitter that he’s leaving ESPN. As of this writing, Kezirian’s Twitter feed contains no such declaration, however does embrace some commentary on the Nathan’s Well-known Worldwide Scorching Canine Consuming Contest on New York’s Coney Island, which befell earlier at the moment.
Given the present atmosphere, ESPN has decided it essential to establish some further price financial savings within the space of public-facing commentator salaries, and that course of has begun,” in accordance with a press release issued final week by ESPN. “This train will embrace a small group of job cuts within the short-term and an ongoing deal with managing prices after we negotiate particular person contract renewals within the months forward.”
The cuts introduced final week included well-known expertise similar to former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy, former NBA star Vince Carter, retired NFL gamers Matt Hasselbeck, Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Younger in addition to Max Kellerman, Suzy Kolber and NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay.
Disney Missteps Piling Up
On Nov. 20, 2022, Disney introduced that Bob Iger would return as chief government officer, changing Bob Chapek. There was preliminary enthusiasm for the information as Disney shares rallied, closing at $97.58 on Nov. 21, however that ebullience has waned because the inventory closed at $90.60 on July 3. It’s up 4.28% year-to-date, nicely under the 16.06% returned by the S&P 500.
Torpid share worth efficiency is one instance of Iger’s sequel at Disney getting off to a rocky begin. Others embrace the chief’s insistence on escalating a rift with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) relating to laws that forbids Florida youngsters in kindergarten by means of third grade from being taught sexually associated matters. This subject was a part of Chapek’s undoing.
Moreover, Disney’s as soon as vaunted Pixar arm — the unit liable for turning out a slew of beloved animated movies — has misplaced its contact. Its final three productions, Lightyear, Unusual World, and Elemental, have all flopped on the field workplace.
In what quantities to some unhealthy timing for the Disney boss, on the identical day the ESPN layoffs had been revealed, the New York Submit reported Iger and his spouse have made $7 million in upgrades to the Brentwood, Calif. mansion. He’s price an estimated $700 million.
ESPN Caught in Crossfire
There’s rampant hypothesis that the ESPN workers pruning was essential to accommodate Pat McAfee and his namesake present, which lately joined the sports activities broadcast big from FanDuel.
It’s believed that ESPN is paying McAfee $17 million yearly over 5 years, which if true, represents a pay lower from his four-year $120 million settlement with FanDuel. Some media trade observers imagine different ESPN expertise had been let go to make room for McAfee-related spending. Contained in the community, it’s believed the attract of McAfee’s present is straightforward: It already makes cash and has a loyal following.
As for Kezirian, the Las Vegas resident hosted “Every day Wager” on ESPN 2. He hasn’t introduced his subsequent transfer, however he’s an ready bettor as evidenced by the truth that he received $58,000 within the 2022 William Hill School Soccer Problem.
