ESPN is retooling. They are shedding dominant voices from their landscape. Their opinions, debates, and opinions echo in our ears. But these ESPN legends are now getting laid off, leaving millions shocked. And if firing the likes of millionaire Jeff Van Gundy and Jalen Rose wasn’t shocking enough, we are getting some new information on Stephen A. Smith.

Considering these voices are synonymous with the league, this is a radical plan. Will Smith also be in joining his former colleagues?

Stephen A. Smith has served this channel for a long time

Smith A Smith has always been a treat on ESPN. His diehard love for New York Knicks or his viral responses, everything he does, draws attention from NBA fans.

The veteran analyst has been a part of the network since August 2005 when he launched Quite Frankly With Stephen A. Smith. Apart from this, he’s most famous for his show, First Take on ESPN.

We know his persona for his provocative analysis of sports and for delivering controversial comments. In a past incident, he did not refrain from blasting the former Los Angeles Lakers player Kwame Brown. Smith called him a ‘bona fide scrub’ during many discussions. However, in 2023, he apologized for such remarks.

As per reports, the long-term host is likely to survive the firing line.

In 2014, the two parties agreed on a multi-year deal that paid Smith over $3 million per year. In 2016, Smith joined Max Kellerman as a debating partner after Skip Bayless left. 

And we hear Kellerman is also on ESPN”s lay-offs list too.

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The logic behind the firings

The network hasn’t just gotten let go of the in-studio and on-court commentators and analysts. They are also doing away with camera personnel and various other workers who work behind the scene. ESPN’s parent company, Walt Disney, is making these dramatic layoffs, extending it to its sports programming branch. 

As per reports, the company is trying to cost cut in the flailing market. As per ESPN, “In order to identify additional cost savings, ESPN determined it necessary to turn the cost management focus to public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun.”

All the news surrounding ESPN losing beloved hosts is hitting people hard. It’s basically marking the end of an era.

So, what do you think about veteran analysts being laid off? Do share in the comments below.

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