ESPN is parting ways Wednesday with 150 employees, mostly from the studio production, digital content and technology departments, network president John Skipper announced in a memo Wednesday morning.
The cuts, Skipper said, “generally reflect decisions to do less in certain instances and redirect resources.”
“We appreciate their contributions, and will assist them as much as possible in this difficult moment with severance, a 2017 bonus, the continuation of health benefits and outplacement services,” Skipper said of the employees impacted. “They will also appreciate your support.”
The cuts represent less than 2 percent of ESPN’s 8,000-strong workplace, and the network is still hiring.
Summing up ESPN’s operating strategy, he said, “We will continue to invest in ways which will best position us to serve the modern sports fan and support the success of our business.”
The cuts were widely expected, with most outlets reporting that 100-plus staffers would get the boot. Earlier, it was expected that on-camera talent would be targeted, but that narrative shifted, and the majority of employees impacted largely worked behind the scenes.
ESPN parted ways with about 100 employees in April, mostly more high-profile, on-air talent.
