ESPN expected to fire up to 20 on-air personalities today: Complete list

ESPN is undergoing another round of layoffs, this time for many of its on-air personalities or commentators. The first news of the layoffs came from the New York Post, which reported that longtime NBA color analyst Jeff Van Gundy had been let go. After that, Friday morning and afternoon was filled with somber news of sports media names being let go left and right by the Worldwide Leader.

Andrew Marchand of The Post has been all over the news of the layoffs and had the Van Gundy scoop Friday morning. Since then, he’s only added to the list, which now includes the following names so far:

Complete list of ESPN talent layoffs

*List will be updated as more layoffs are reported.

• Jeff Van Gundy | NBA broadcaster
• Jalen Rose | NBA analyst
• David Pollack | College GameDay host
• Max Kellerman | Talk show host
• Keyshawn Johnson | Radio and TV personality
• LaPhonso Ellis | College basketball analyst
• Joon Lee | Staff writer and on-air personality
• Ashley Brewer | SportsCenter anchor
• Suzy Kolber | NFL Monday Night Countdown host
• Steve Young | NFL analyst
• Vince Carter | NBA analyst
• Todd McShay | NFL Draft analyst
• Matt Hasselbeck | NFL Countdown analyst
• Jason Fitz | ESPN Radio
• Jordan Cornette | ACC Network host and college basketball analyst
• Doug Kezirian | Daily Wager host and sports betting insider
• Andre Ward | Boxing analyst
• Gene Wojciechowski | College GameDay reporter

A lot of massive names in the ESPN sphere, and particularly within the company’s NBA coverage. There are likely to be around 20 employees who wind up being let go by ESPN by the end of the day, according to Marchand. Although, he notes that the top tier of ESPN personalities are safe.

“While the likes of Stephen A. Smith, Scott Van Pelt, Joe Buck and some other big names are not at risk, there are expected to be decades-long on-air talent let go.”

Grim day in the sports media world. For a little bit of background info on the careers these former employees led, go ahead and take a lot at the snippets below.

Steve Young laid off at ESPN

After the legendary Young hung up his football cleats as a member of the San Francisco 49ers, he immediately linked up with ABC and ESPN, where has been an on-air contributor in various NFL studio shows, but only became full-time just two years ago. Now, after nearly a quarter-decade partnership, Young’s out at ESPN.

More on Suzy Kolber layoff

Kolber was a titan in the NFL reporting industry and has been a linchpin in ESPN’s NFL coverage for more than 25 years. No worry, because she’s as positive as ever and even hinted at something to come in her own goodbye message that she posted to Twitter on Friday. Take a look:

“Today I join the many hard-working colleagues who have been laid off. Heartbreaking — but 27 years at ESPN was a good run. So grateful for a 38 yr career! Longevity for a woman in this business is something I’m especially proud of. Next step — a project that gives back.”

More on Jalen Rose layoff

Jalen Rose was a massive part of ESPN’s NBA coverage across the board. He participated in pregame, halftime and postgame shows, hosted his own daily show with David Jacoby (which was cancelled in 2022) and was a staple of the ever-rotating NBA Draft coverage cast over the last decade. And how could we forget: a star NBA player and member of the Fab Five.

More on Todd McShay layoff

Next to the legendary Mel Kiper, Todd McShay was as strong on the NFL Draft as anyone for ESPN. He’s been a part of the company’s NFL Draft coverage since 2006 and began working on the annual draft shows by 2009. Clearly, ESPN is losing a massive head of knowledge in McShay when it comes to the NFL Draft.

More on Jeff Van Gundy layoff

Now that Jeff Van Gundy is out, that ESPN crew will never be the same without his screwball mischief and thoroughly informative hoops commentary. But hey, perhaps we see him land at TNT with his brother, Stan, and that whole crew to only bolster their already-awesome NBA coverage. And don’t rule out a return to coaching either, even though Van Gundy hasn’t manned a sideline since 2007.

More on Max Kellerman layoff

The writing was on the wall for Kellerman when his show got the boot for the Pat McAfee Show recently. Meanwhile, his radio show with Keyshawn Johnson and Jay Williams was also cancelled, with Johnson getting let go from ESPN as well. Of course, Kellerman’s main rise in popularity within ESPN came from his boxing commentary and his stint as Stephen A. Smith’s sparring partner on First Take.

More on LaPhonso Ellis layoff

Ellis replaced Jay Williams on the College GameDay crew on the basketball side about five years ago and has been a featured member of the college hoops coverage ever since. He’s also sworn by as one of the nicest and most genuine folks in the entire ESPN building — and that always came through during his TV spots. Nothing but well wishes for whatever’s next for “The Phons,” who’s also a Notre Dame legend. Does Micah Shrewsberry still need an extra assistant by any chance?

More on Keyshawn Johnson layoff

As mentioned, Johnson was part of a radio show with Jay Williams and Max Kellerman before he was let go. But he was also a rotating member of various studio shows as well. Rumors are he could be the next partner of Skip Bayless at Fox, but such a move would require him to forgo the buyout ESPN did for his five-year, $18 million deal that was signed just last year. Sounds like he’ll be just fine wherever he ends up.