Report: NBA broadcaster Jeff Van Gundy laid off by ESPN

The worldwide leader in sports is laying off even more employees and a certain prominent NBA broadcaster has reportedly been let go, according to the New York Post. The Post wrote Friday morning that ESPN is letting go of longtime NBA color commentator Jeff Van Gundy as part of their latest round of layoffs.

“ESPN has let go its top NBA game analyst Jeff Van Gundy, The Post has learned,” they reported. “Van Gundy, 61, has been with ESPN for 16 years, calling the Finals with play-by-player Mike Breen and co-game analyst, Mark Jackson.”

They also added that Van Gundy isn’t alone and could be joining roughly 20 other employees who are being laid off.

“The Post reported Friday morning ESPN is letting go of around 20 on-air personalities in an effort to save tens of millions of dollars.” Van Gundy’s salary is unknown, but The Port believes it was at least several million dollars.

As for his replacement on ESPN’s No. 1 NBA commentary crew, The Post reported a few possible internal options. JJ Redick’s name was mentioned, since he’s become a rising star in the sports broadcasting world after his recent retirement. Another former player and option is Richard Jefferson, who likewise entered the sports broadcasting industry following his retirement from the NBA a few years ago.

The other name mentioned was esteemed commentator Doris Burke, who has been a primary voice in ESPN’s broadcasting booth over the last decade and has called tons of regular season and playoff games. She’s one of, if not the leading female voice in basketball broadcasting and is a trailblazer in many respects.

So, some good options to replace Jeff Van Gundy, but let’s be honest, that crew will never be the same without the screwball mischief and thoroughly informative hoops commentary from the great JVG.

Here’s to hoping we see him land at TNT with his brother, Stan, and that whole crew. If not that, perhaps Van Gundy finally turns back to the coaching. He was last a head NBA coach in 2007 with the Houston Rockets and it has been quite a while since then, but his name has still come up in coaching rumors occasionally over the years. That said, a move into coaching would be tough for Van Gundy after such a long hiatus given how drastically the league has shifted in the last 15+ years.

Either way, best of luck to whatever’s next, JVG.