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Posted on: July 4, 2023, 04:50h.
Final up to date on: July 4, 2023, 04:50h.
Sports activities betting analyst Doug Kezirian could also be among the many on-air personalities despatched packing by ESPN in a brand new spherical of finances cuts.
Varied media shops reported late Monday that Kezirian and boxing analyst Andre Ward had been added to a listing of 20 on-air personalities that sports activities broadcasting community — a unit of Walt Disney (NYSE: DIS) — laid off final week. Ward confirmed on Twitter that he’s leaving ESPN. As of this writing, Kezirian’s Twitter feed consists of no such declaration, however does embody some commentary on the Nathan’s Well-known Worldwide Scorching Canine Consuming Contest on New York’s Coney Island, which befell earlier immediately.
Given the present setting, ESPN has decided it essential to establish some further value financial savings within the space of public-facing commentator salaries, and that course of has begun,” based on an announcement issued final week by ESPN. “This train will embody a small group of job cuts within the short-term and an ongoing deal with managing prices after we negotiate particular person contract renewals within the months forward.”
The cuts introduced final week included well-known expertise corresponding to former NBA coach Jeff Van Gundy, former NBA star Vince Carter, retired NFL gamers Matt Hasselbeck, Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Younger in addition to Max Kellerman, Suzy Kolber and NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay.
Disney Missteps Piling Up
On Nov. 20, 2022, Disney introduced that Bob Iger would return as chief govt officer, changing Bob Chapek. There was preliminary enthusiasm for the information as Disney shares rallied, closing at $97.58 on Nov. 21, however that ebullience has waned because the inventory closed at $90.60 on July 3. It’s up 4.28% year-to-date, nicely beneath the 16.06% returned by the S&P 500.
Torpid share worth efficiency is one instance of Iger’s sequel at Disney getting off to a rocky begin. Others embody the manager’s insistence on escalating a rift with Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) concerning laws that forbids Florida youngsters in kindergarten by third grade from being taught sexually associated matters. This situation was a part of Chapek’s undoing.
Moreover, Disney’s as soon as vaunted Pixar arm — the unit answerable for turning out a slew of beloved animated movies — has misplaced its contact. Its final three productions, Lightyear, Unusual World, and Elemental, have all flopped on the field workplace.
In what quantities to some dangerous timing for the Disney boss, on the identical day the ESPN layoffs had been revealed, the New York Submit reported Iger and his spouse have made $7 million in upgrades to the Brentwood, Calif. mansion. He’s price an estimated $700 million.
ESPN Caught in Crossfire
There’s rampant hypothesis that the ESPN employees pruning was essential to accommodate Pat McAfee and his namesake present, which just lately joined the sports activities broadcast big from FanDuel.
It’s believed that ESPN is paying McAfee $17 million yearly over 5 years, which if true, represents a pay minimize from his four-year $120 million settlement with FanDuel. Some media business observers consider different ESPN expertise had been let go to make room for McAfee-related spending. Contained in the community, it’s believed the attract of McAfee’s present is straightforward: It already makes cash and has a faithful following.
As for Kezirian, the Las Vegas resident hosted “Day by day Wager” on ESPN 2. He hasn’t introduced his subsequent transfer, however he’s an ready bettor as evidenced by the truth that he received $58,000 within the 2022 William Hill School Soccer Problem.
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