July 6th 2023.
In recent weeks, ESPN has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Multiple well-known sports journalists have been laid off from the beloved network, leaving many to wonder what the future holds for those who remain, including Stephen A. Smith, one of ESPN's biggest stars.
During an episode of The Stephen A. Smith Show, the 55-year-old First Take host expressed respect for his peers who have now found themselves unemployed. He acknowledged the grim reality of the broadcasting industry and the uncertain times we’re living in. “ESPN laid off about 20 members of its on-air talent … friends of mine, actually, definitely respected colleagues who’d done a phenomenal job and deserved better,” he said.
The Walt Disney Co., the umbrella that ESPN falls under, has been taking extreme cost-cutting measures in recent months, and has laid off over 7,000 employees across different brands, according to The Root. One of the more surprising layoffs was NBA Countdown host Jalen Rose.
Smith had nothing but kind words to say about his former colleague. “Got a lot of love for that brother,” he said. “A lot of the great work he’s done over the years, what he’s represented for the company… I’m going to miss him. Jalen Rose has always been good to me and I loved working with him on NBA Countdown. He is a brilliant basketball mind, he is somebody that worked his ass off all the time. There was never an assignment he backed away from, there was never a time he didn’t want to work.”
Smith concluded his statement by preparing for the worst. “If we’re going to be real about it, let’s deal with reality,” he said. “This ain’t the end, more is coming. And yes, ladies and gentlemen, I could be next.” He may not know what the future holds for him, but his colleagues that have been laid off know all too well the gravity of the situation.
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