Bizziken Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Granted, I don't watch ESPN much anymore, but I was still surprised by some of these. Of note, they clipped Eamonn Brennan and Dana O'Neil...in large part, I thought they were both pretty good college basketball reporters/analysts. More surprising is Jayson Stark on the MLB side and Lebrun on the NHL side. I thought they were extremely high quality reporters. The era of the four-letter is coming to an end. http://deadspin.com/a-running-list-of-espn-layoffs-1794664091 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Metzinger Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Just now, Bizziken said: Granted, I don't watch ESPN much anymore, but I was still surprised by some of these. Of note, they clipped Eamonn Brennan and Dana O'Neil...in large part, I thought they were both pretty good college basketball reporters/analysts. More surprising is Jayson Stark on the MLB side and Lebrun on the NHL side. I thought they were extremely high quality reporters. The era of the four-letter is coming to an end. http://deadspin.com/a-running-list-of-espn-layoffs-1794664091 It's a shame to think that as long as LeBron James is able to dribble a basketball, that Brian Windhorst will be collecting a paycheck, memo: coattails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Franchise_08 Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 These cuts show ESPNs continual neglect of the NHL. There is only Melrose remaining. Leaves more room for NBA talk, if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLU_Nick Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 ESPN is a "middle man" kind of business. Once their contracts with the leagues expire (of which there is no way ESPN is currently winning with), ESPN will try to negotiate at a much lower rate to stay profitable. The leagues will not accept this and I see them ultimately just performing the distribution legwork themselves. The broadcasting rights investment was only a positive ROI if cable subscribers continued to pay for ESPN as part of their package forever. The Advertising dollars do not come close to helping them break even. ESPN has so far refused to evolve and cost cutting is the only way forward. I frankly wont miss ANY ESPN personality that gets fired. There is always someone ready to get on TV to talk sports. Does Ed Werder really provide way better content than Taj would? Not really. (well maybe not Taj, but something like Taj) The pity party going on in media (and on twitter) right now about the ESPN layoffs is also pretty annoying. #getoffmylawn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACE Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 4 minutes ago, SLU_Nick said: ESPN is a "middle man" kind of business. Once their contracts with the leagues expire (of which there is no way ESPN is currently winning with), ESPN will try to negotiate at a much lower rate to stay profitable. The leagues will not accept this and I see them ultimately just performing the distribution legwork themselves. The broadcasting rights investment was only a positive ROI if cable subscribers continued to pay for ESPN as part of their package forever. The Advertising dollars do not come close to helping them break even. ESPN has so far refused to evolve and cost cutting is the only way forward. I frankly wont miss ANY ESPN personality that gets fired. There is always someone ready to get on TV to talk sports. Does Ed Werder really provide way better content than Taj would? Not really. (well maybe not Taj, but something like Taj) The pity party going on in media (and on twitter) right now about the ESPN layoffs is also pretty annoying. #getoffmylawn That cracked me up. Does this mean ESPN will create a show called - From the Couch in Maryland? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstl Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 The problem is that ESPN isn't cutting the "personalities" so much as they are cutting the reporters that actually bring worthwhile content to their platforms. They are doubling down on the things that have caused people to tune them out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slufan13 Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Just now, brianstl said: The problem is that ESPN isn't cutting the "personalities" so much as they are cutting the reporters that actually bring worthwhile content to their platforms. They are doubling down on the things that have caused people to tune them out. Exactly my thoughts. A guy like Ed Werder or Jayson Stark comes on and I start paying attention. Now they're gone and will be replaced with more Jemele Hill and Michael Smith sitting around in a t-shirt and jeans saying generic things about the NBA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Metzinger Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 1 minute ago, brianstl said: The problem is that ESPN isn't cutting the "personalities" so much as they are cutting the reporters that actually bring worthwhile content to their platforms. They are doubling down on the things that have caused people to tune them out. This. And more people are cutting the cable cord and getting their sports/entertainment served 'a la carte. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLU_Nick Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 5 minutes ago, slufan13 said: Exactly my thoughts. A guy like Ed Werder or Jayson Stark comes on and I start paying attention. Now they're gone and will be replaced with more Jemele Hill and Michael Smith sitting around in a t-shirt and jeans saying generic things about the NBA. I agree with this point. Every time I see the commerical with Michael and Jemele laughing while playing dominoes with Ice Cube, I wonder what a viewer is supposed to take away from that. I still do not think that ESPN has gotten serious about the programming problem they have. If there is not a game on, I am not watching it. Only so much shouting I can take from Lavar Ball, Steven A, etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlebill Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 19 minutes ago, Franchise_08 said: These cuts show ESPNs continual neglect of the NHL. There is only Melrose remaining. Leaves more room for NBA talk, if possible. It's all about $$$$. NHL doesn't make money for ESPN. NBA does. It's simple Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianstl Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 They have fired Len Elmore, come on. Have even more respect for Elmore now that he didn't try to sugar coat his tweet about it like many others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Metzinger Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Just now, Littlebill said: It's all about $$$$. NHL doesn't make money for ESPN. NBA does. It's simple Not since Rogers Communications bought out TSN's NHL Coverage. You're right about that. ESPN has a 20% share in TSN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMM28 Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 The "don't be mean" crowd of fellow reporters/media types is annoying. I look forward to those same writers' articles next week calling for GMs, coaches, and other sports folks to be fired or released. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizziken Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share Posted April 26, 2017 32 minutes ago, brianstl said: The problem is that ESPN isn't cutting the "personalities" so much as they are cutting the reporters that actually bring worthwhile content to their platforms. They are doubling down on the things that have caused people to tune them out. Yeah...I thoroughly enjoyed Eamonn Brennan's Bubble Watch around Tournament time, so it will be interesting to see if they continue this with someone else. The ESPN business model of an echo chamber of hot takes is failing and will continue to fail. There are not enough bros in the country to prop that up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Metzinger Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 8 minutes ago, Bizziken said: Yeah...I thoroughly enjoyed Eamonn Brennan's Bubble Watch around Tournament time, so it will be interesting to see if they continue this with someone else. The ESPN business model of an echo chamber of hot takes is failing and will continue to fail. There are not enough bros in the country to prop that up. Especially now, since Mr. Gronkowski went in for his vasectomy the other day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Box and Won Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 And Stephen A. Smith continues to earn more than $3 million a year. The other day, my nine-year-old daughter happened to walk through the room while Stephen A. Smith was unleashing some hot takes on the Worldwide Leader. With a confused look on her face, she said: "Who is this? What does he do? Why is he yelling? I can't watch this." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GBL_Bills Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 What a shame. Eamonn's Bubble Watch was great, and I'll always remember Dana's fantastic Majerus article after he died. http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/8699651/rick-majerus-did-way-always-college-basketball Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheChosenOne Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 53 minutes ago, brianstl said: The problem is that ESPN isn't cutting the "personalities" so much as they are cutting the reporters that actually bring worthwhile content to their platforms. They are doubling down on the things that have caused people to tune them out. Bang! He got it! Hopefully they keep all of the former pro athletes in their skinny suits and sneakers who have no journalistic qualities.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billikenfan05 Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Nostalgia is huge market. ESPN needs to cash back in on that. The people who grew up on the highlight heavy episodes of SC are the people paying for cable now. Remember when you could sit down and watch SC and see a basketball/baseball/hockey/tennis/soccer highlight in 30 minutes before you had to leave for school/work? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Metzinger Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 5 minutes ago, billikenfan05 said: Nostalgia is huge market. ESPN needs to cash back in on that. The people who grew up on the highlight heavy episodes of SC are the people paying for cable now. Remember when you could sit down and watch SC and see a basketball/baseball/hockey/tennis/soccer highlight in 30 minutes before you had to leave for school/work? ESPN Classic, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMouthBilliken Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 1 hour ago, brianstl said: The problem is that ESPN isn't cutting the "personalities" so much as they are cutting the reporters that actually bring worthwhile content to their platforms. They are doubling down on the things that have caused people to tune them out. SC6 with Jamele Hill and Michael Smith is unwatchable in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RUBillsFan Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 I have no sympathy for Eamonn Brennan after this hit job on SLU from a few years back: http://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/84647/st-louis-runs-off-jared-drew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slufan13 Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 You can almost remove the S from ESPN at this point Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBFan Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 6 minutes ago, RUBillsFan said: I have no sympathy for Eamonn Brennan after this hit job on SLU from a few years back: http://www.espn.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/84647/st-louis-runs-off-jared-drew What Crews recruit took that scholarship and Drew must have thought your telling me I don't fit in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littlebill Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 18 minutes ago, billikenfan05 said: Nostalgia is huge market. ESPN needs to cash back in on that. The people who grew up on the highlight heavy episodes of SC are the people paying for cable now. Remember when you could sit down and watch SC and see a basketball/baseball/hockey/tennis/soccer highlight in 30 minutes before you had to leave for school/work? And those people have twitter to where they see those "wow" type plays anyway with SB Nation and Barstool. There's no demand for anything like that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.