Sports blog “The Big Lead” is reporting that ESPN will be laying off 200 to 300 employees in the coming months.
ESPN last had major layoffs in 2013, but the report of future layoffs is not surprising given the rising costs of sports rights and recent subscriber losses at the sports network.
An ESPN spokesman sent the following statement to The Big Lead about the impending layoffs: “ESPN has historically embraced evolving technology to smartly navigate our business. Any organizational changes will be announced directly to our employees if and when appropriate.”
ESPN has been under the microscope lately with rumored cost containment actions such as cancelling Mike & Mike’s move to New York and not renewing the contracts of Bill Simmons, Keith Olbermann and Colin Cowherd.