The Antichrist cutting more heads

[Rocktheworld]

They probably make too much money (according to the bean-counters that do the lists). Most companies ascribe to the adage that no one is irreplaceable.

I wonder how much the talking heads on FS1 are making, because nobody has gotten fired there (except some unceremonious departure of Cris Carter) going back to ~2016 when they started their current lineup of shows with undisputed and first things first, and therefore they presumably don’t make too much. And again, why fire everyone at ESPN and instead just cut their checks? Let them take their talents elsewhere if they feel like they can make more elsewhere.

 

[DoctorWho85]

Pickleball and Cornhole have more appeal than the NBA.

I wish curling was more popular to be covered.

 

[UCFBfan]

I wonder how much the talking heads on FS1 are making, because nobody has gotten fired there (except some unceremonious departure of Cris Carter) going back to ~2016 when they started their current lineup of shows with undisputed and first things first, and therefore they presumably don’t make too much. And again, why fire everyone at ESPN and instead just cut their checks? Let them take their talents elsewhere if they feel like they can make more elsewhere.

You are assuming these people would take pay cuts. Why would you agree to just cut your salary when you're making seven figures? To save your job when there are other networks who will likely pay you more than a slashed salary at ESPN? The talent that was cut were making seven figures. The part that makes me scratch my head is that they are still paying them but I believe someone said that this allows ESPN to not have to pay the whole.contract when that person finds a new job.

 

[UCFBfan]

Then what’s your theory as to why they just went scorched-earth on basically all their top ESPN talent? Namely in-game announcers?

My theory is that Disney is regretting purchasing ESPN and that side of the business is bleeding money unlike the rest of the company. In order to stop the bleeding, you cut the top earners that won't completely destroy your product.

I saw recently that ESPN+ is growing in subscribers and that's where there money is. None of those big names that were cut are big players in the streaming arena, minus Van Gundy and his color commentary. If someone can call a game well and have a serviceable color commentator who knows their stuff and get them on the cheap, it's a win for ESPN+.

 

[How Sway?!]

My theory is that Disney is regretting purchasing ESPN and that side of the business is bleeding money unlike the rest of the company. In order to stop the bleeding, you cut the top earners that won't completely destroy your product.

I saw recently that ESPN+ is growing in subscribers and that's where there money is. None of those big names that were cut are big players in the streaming arena, minus Van Gundy and his color commentary. If someone can call a game well and have a serviceable color commentator who knows their stuff and get them on the cheap, it's a win for ESPN+.

ESPN is a big part of Disneys net income. It probably has made them back multiple times more than what they paid for it. They ain't regretting nothing.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Almost every talking head on sports TV is overpaid. They're all replaceable.

With social media, podcasts, twitter and everyrhing else, fans can get all the information and analysis from a dozen different sources.

Scarcity of information and gatekeeper is dead.

Look at posters on this board and see how many times people say they mute the TV.

 

[JohnFSilver]

My theory is that Disney is regretting purchasing ESPN and that side of the business is bleeding money unlike the rest of the company. In order to stop the bleeding, you cut the top earners that won't completely destroy your product.

I saw recently that ESPN+ is growing in subscribers and that's where there money is. None of those big names that were cut are big players in the streaming arena, minus Van Gundy and his color commentary. If someone can call a game well and have a serviceable color commentator who knows their stuff and get them on the cheap, it's a win for ESPN+.

Not a chance. ESPN has minted them money for decades. They love the business. It also brings in a ton of revenue. Issue is cost control and arrogance.

They scoffed at streaming. They scoffed at Amazon getting one Thursday night game. They just have been impossible adapting to new landscape.

They also are getting away from news, and are more tv shows.