ESPN Lays Off Max Kellerman, Jalen Rose & More On Air Personalities

ESPN Lays Off Max Kellerman, Jalen Rose & More On Air Personalities

ESPN has let go of a handful of on-air personalities, according to Variety.

The outlet revealed that Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, and Jalen Rose were among the handful of employees that the network layed off this week.

Variety says that the layoffs happened as the Disney-owned network looks for ways to cut costs as Disney goes through a transition in business.

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In a statement about the matter, Disney confirmed the layoffs.

“Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun,” the statement read. “This exercise will include a small group of job cuts in the short-term and an ongoing focus on managing costs when we negotiate individual contract renewals in the months ahead. This is an extremely challenging process, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. These difficult decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth.”

In addition to the four mentioned above, around 15 others had also been laid off from the network, and “they will no longer appear on ESPN properties.”

While the employees are now of the “ex” variety, ESPN does intend to pay them through their current contracts and according to a source, “if they find jobs elsewhere, those terms could be renegotiated.”

Disney has been doing a few other things in order to cut costs, which includes streaming deals.