ESPN layoffs

[*CatinIL*]

I only knew a couple of names on that list...but I typically only watch eSpN when UK is on so I wouldn't know who is who. Like others have said, I didn't tune into eSpN for a lesson in political correctness but that's the path they went down IMO, now they're laying people off...

 

[bthaunert]

So the agenda drives the ratings.
Kinda takes away from the essence of the "courage" aspect of the award.

I'm not saying it was right, just saying it was ratings driven and not politically driven.

 

[morgousky]

Can some one here give me data that determines why the ratings drop? And don't say because more people are switching to other providers or streaming. I switched and left them off sling for that very reason.

Data, poll, or other please.

 

[UK_fan_41102]

So Stephen A. Smith gets to stay while some good reporters get let go? There's truly no justice in the world.

 

[wcc31]

Can some one here give me data that determines why the ratings drop? And don't say because more people are switching to other providers or streaming. I switched and left them off sling for that very reason.

Data, poll, or other please.

Hate to give him credit but Clay Travis has been calling this for years. He does a great job analyzing ESPN's demise. Would bet he has a piece up on this right now.

 

[EvilMD]

I wonder what people who wonder if they're going to eat today or even this week think about people who argue on message boards like we do on here. Probably "I wish my biggest problem was someone's opinion being different than mine."

 

[*CatinIL*]

Hate to give him credit but Clay Travis has been calling this for years. He does a great job analyzing ESPN's demise. Would bet he has a piece up on this right now.

I've said this before but every time I see the name Clay Travis, I can't help but think, what's a "Country Singer" know about sports...

 

[ashleys handfull]

College football and basketball reporting coverage just getting decimated.

Wonder if today gets us any closer to day ESPN (and everyone else after) stops sending play-by-play/color teams to game sites and starts calling everything by remote from Bristol. That day is coming ... I'd just hope not too soon.

I'd be ecstatic if they'd just send some microphones and key us hear the sounds of the game with no one babbling. Utopia!

 

[JerseyCat84_rivals57050]

How does Jeff Goodman still have a job?

 

[USSLair]

Kanell?

He's one of the few I liked.

Was also constantly making fun of the liberal Media, but in a joking manner. Coincidence I say no.

ESPN and ABC suck.

 

[Ukbrassowtipin]

Hopefully they will get to showing more sports games considering that should be their lifeblood.

I don't like hockey but they fired their entire nhl crew right during the middle of the nhl playoffs.

 

[CatsnRoses]

Andy Katz was let go too? Either that or Greenberg is just an idiot. 50/50, imo

 

[bluinbville]

One of the best IMO. She'll catch on pretty quickly I'd guess.

Interesting day at the WWL fo sho.

Respectfully disagree. Mike Decourcy is the best and DO isn't in the same galaxy. She is a condescending snob from Syracuse who attacked the SEC and Cal whenever the opportunity presented itself. Eamon Brennan is a loss.

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

Andy Katz was let go too? Either that or Greenberg is just an idiot. 50/50, imo

Wow. That's a big one. The anchor on SortsCenter last night mentioned a few names and said something like "there are others who have chosen not to announce their departures". So there's more out there.

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

Respectfully disagree. Mike Decourcy is the best and DO isn't in the same galaxy. She is a condescending snob from Syracuse who attacked the SEC and Cal whenever the opportunity presented itself. Eamon Brennan is a loss.

Agree DeCourcy is the best by a good margin. Unlike virtually anyone else he competes with, he really knows the game. Part of his analysis includes breaking down what actually happened (or didnt) from a technical standpoint. Plus he likes Cal, which helps, heh....

 

[MWes11]

Damn. Didn't see Andy Katz getting let go. And agree with most on here. It seems to be if you can yell the loudest and be the most outrageous, that is what they are looking for.

 

[Newcattitudes]

Andy Katz is a class act. He is the only Dukie I have heard that doesn't lean to homerism. I hope he lands a better gig because he is the consummate gentleman and professional. I wish him nothing but the best. Cal likes him a lot. He shows great respect to Cal and UK.

 

[Perrin75]

As has already been stated, the reason ESPN is laying people off has nothing to do with politics. It's because of cord cutting. The way ESPN structured their deals, they received guaranteed revenue off of every cable subscriber. It has nothing to do with viewership/ratings. If you subscribed to cable ESPN got paid regardless of whether or not you watched the channel. As more and more people have dropped traditional cable, their revenue streams have declined and since the bulk of their costs are tied up in contracts to the sports leagues, payroll becomes the only option for controlling costs. Due to cord cutting they have lost over 4 Billion in annual revenue and counting.

The next big question for ESPN is when are they going to default on one of these league contracts, and which will be the first to go. I did see ESPN is going to launch a stand alone streaming service. They have to be hoping it will catch on in a big way. If not, ESPN may be dead man walking.

 

[sefus12]

These people aren't being fired, they are being laid off. It's a changing industry and ESPN has accelerated their decline with their left wing, political nonsense.

Some don't want to acknowledge this point, but it has certainly played a part in their ratings drops. Cord-cutting remains a huge problem for companies like ESPN, but their decision to push politics has as well.

 

[Contracts & Wildcats]

Andy Katz is a class act. He is the only Dukie I have heard that doesn't lean to homerism. I hope he lands a better gig because he is the consummate gentleman and professional. I wish him nothing but the best. Cal likes him a lot. He shows great respect to Cal and UK.

He went to the University of Wisconsin, not Duke.

 

[TankedCat]

I wouldn't say it has nothing to do with politics.

Trent Dilfer caught heat for saying Kaepernick should "know his place".

Interesting , ESPN takes a pro position overall supporting Kaepernick and NFL ratings tanks

 

[sefus12]

As has already been stated, the reason ESPN is laying people off has nothing to do with politics. It's because of cord cutting. The way ESPN structured their deals, they received guaranteed revenue off of every cable subscriber. It has nothing to do with viewership/ratings. If you subscribed to cable ESPN got paid regardless of whether or not you watched the channel. As more and more people have dropped traditional cable, their revenue streams have declined and since the bulk of their costs are tied up in contracts to the sports leagues, payroll becomes the only option for controlling costs. Due to cord cutting they have lost over 4 Billion in annual revenue and counting.

The next big question for ESPN is when are they going to default on one of these league contracts, and which will be the first to go. I did see ESPN is going to launch a stand alone streaming service. They have to be hoping it will catch on in a big way. If not, ESPN may be dead man walking.

I disagree with you. I only watch ESPN for games I want to see. I used to watch shows like SportsCenter everyday, but once they started putting a political slant into many of their stories, I stopped watching. Others on here have said the same thing. Viewership/ratings going down are absolutely impacted by cord-cutters, but they are also impacted by people who simply aren't turning to ESPN due to their decision to push into the political/social-justice realm with their sports stories.

Sports are my way to get away from all political discussions. ESPN lost a lot of my viewing time because they made the decision to inject politics into their sports coverage.

 

[DCCat]

Kept SAS?

 

[TankedCat]

elmore's own name appears on his blog as 'nba legend len elmore'

yeah, i'm glad he got fired

I went and googled it - apparently the blog no longer exists, but it is still cached so you can see it.

and you are right - it does say NBA Legend/Broadcaster on it.

 

[sg24_]

Did not see that one coming.

 

[mhroe1984]

If that's true that sucks for Katz. I've never had a problem with him. If they kept Goodman while letting Andy go it just furthers my hatred for that network which is dying a slow, painful death.

 

[MWes11]

He will get picked up by CBS I bet. I can see him doing a lot of March Madness work for them.

 

[kevcat]

This is the type of decision making that has this network on the verge of extinction.

 

[UK90]

Andy Katz is a class act. He is the only Dukie I have heard that doesn't lean to homerism. .

Katz is not in any way a dukie, instead he's a Wisconson grad. I think you may be confusing him with Seth Davis.

 

[sg24_]

He will get picked up by CBS I bet. I can see him doing a lot of March Madness work for them.

That was my first thought as well. I always thought Katz was one of the best in the business for college. gives me even more reason not to watch ESPN.

 

[kyjeff1]

Wow, how do you let that guy go?

Advice for the rest, when ESPN brass is walking through your cubicle area…. Look busy.

This seems like the beginning of the end for ESPN.

 

[kydmb99_rivals103809]

Shows you where ESPN's priorities are. Let's get rid of real journalists but put Bomani fuc**ing Jones all over our network

 

[Aike]

Andy Katz is a class act. He is the only Dukie I have heard that doesn't lean to homerism. I hope he lands a better gig because he is the consummate gentleman and professional. I wish him nothing but the best. Cal likes him a lot. He shows great respect to Cal and UK.

He went to Wisconsin.

 

[rick64]

No doubt Katz will get picked up somewhere, either by CBS or Fox Sports.

 

[Bigtyrone]

Wow, they really screwed that one up.

 

[TankedCat]

Maybe Katz will replace Seth Davis.

In the end, everyone wins

 

[NCukcat62]

Is it just me did a lot of people that aren't white get the boot?

 

[SilentsAreGolden]

Wow, how do you let that guy go?

Advice for the rest, when ESPN brass is walking through your cubicle area…. Look busy.

This seems like the beginning of the end for ESPN.

Better advice, be wearing a UNCheat sweatshirt.

 

[CatsPaws270]

I guess because Trump was not going to do a bracket he lost his only job at the network haha I kid. Katz was an integral part of their College Basketball coverage and it sucks that he's leaving now. CBS better pick him up!

 

[Monroe Claxton]

Katz wasn't flamboyant enough