Jalen Rose reportedly out at ESPN amid cuts to on-air talent

Another high-profile figure is out at ESPN amid the wave of layoffs, as NBA analyst Jalen Rose has been let go, according to the New York Post. Rose had been with the network on the top ESPN and ABC NBA broadcasts for a decade.

Rose also had a regular show on ESPN, “Jalen and Jacoby,” with David Jacoby which was canceled in 2022. He remained on NBA coverage for the network through the 2022-23 season, covering the 2023 Finals for the network.

ESPN is reportedly laying off 20 on-air personalities in a slew of cuts.

Earlier on Friday, it was reported that the sports broadcasting giant was parting ways with longtime NBA color commentator Jeff Van Gundy.

Rose first entered the national basketball consciousness when he signed with Michigan as a high school recruit and became part of the Fab Five alongside Chris Webber, Juwan Howard, Ray Jackson and Jimmy King.

After three years at Michigan, Rose was selected No. 13 overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1994 NBA Draft. He’d go on to play 16 NBA seasons, playing for six different teams. He’s been a staple of NBA coverage since joining ESPN and speculation has already begun that he and/or Van Gundy could be hired to be on TNT, ESPN’s main competitor for NBA coverage.

But for now, he’s one of the many cuts at ESPN as the network is radically overhauling the on-air talent.

The ESPN layoffs weren’t contained to the NBA side

ESPN made some severe cuts, Friday, laying off both Suzy Kolber and Steve Young. The two were hosts on the network’s NFL Monday Night Countdown pre-game show.

Kolber announced the news on Twitter. She wrote: “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.”

Front Office Sports confirmed that ESPN also laid off Steve Young along with Kolber. Young was a Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback with the 49ers. He worked for ESPN for 22 years.

ESPN also laid off one of its top draft experts in Todd McShay, according to a report from The Post. McShay and fellow draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. have led ESPN’s draft coverage for years.

McShay had been with ESPN since 2006, prior to being let go on Friday.