Say Goodbye to those ESPN Personalities Ya'll Love So Much: Official ESPN Layoffs Thread

[cheapshot]

ESPN has struggled for years to have a good booth since Tirico left for NBC. They had to overpay for Buck and Aikman for that reason alone. It’s no surprise MNF schedule has been better since they arrived there. NFL definitely cares about the top crew on each network and they want them to be top end.

Never liked Aikman and Buck. Thought that they did enough by starting the Manningcast. Don't know how much the Mannings are making, but it has to be a lot of money dedicated to one night for a portion of the year. They have always tried different things to get the right crew even though the games have been lacking.

 

[daboywonder2002]

Stephen A loves sports but you can tell he enjoys talking other subjects like politics and relationships. He was talking about the Keke Palmer situation and now he's on the Crew has it podcast. I didn't know he was a die hard power fan

 

[<<TheStandard>>]

This was their top Gambling guy for the last 11 years.

It literally makes no sense.

 

[mozichrome]

Bayless sometimes grumbled about what he perceived as Smith’s lack of preparation. Unlike Bayless, Smith did not take notes or read the morning packet of news prepared by producers. He went to games, spoke with people and held his thoughts in his head. He kept adding roles — NBA shows, podcasts, boxing. “Whether games are on or not,” he says, “I’m still up until one or two in the morning.” Sometimes, just 30 seconds before he was about to go on air, he would ask producers to confirm what they were about to debate. Then the cameras would roll and he would turn on his charisma and force of personality.

At some point in 2016, Keegan reached out to Skipper with an urgent message: ESPN was about to lose Bayless. Horowitz, who had been ousted at NBC, had resurfaced at Fox Sports and was bringing the “First Take” playbook with him. He also wanted to bring along Bayless.
Smith had renewed his contract with ESPN for more than $3 million annually the year before, but Bayless’ deal was about to expire. Skipper entered the fray late and said ESPN made a “considerable” offer to keep Bayless. But in the end, he left for Fox in April 2016.
“We waited too long,” Skipper said. “We valued Stephen A. more than we valued Skip. … We just felt that Skip was the foil and the star of the show was Stephen A.” Just like that, the Bayless-Smith duo was done.

Bayless was obsessively committed to his work. On his first date with his now-wife, Ernestine, he told her: “You will never be more important than my job for me.” Once, before debating Woody Paige on “1st and 10,” Bayless asked staffer Gabe Goodwin for research help. But first, Bayless sized up Goodwin and asked, “Can I trust you?” Goodwin was confused. “Can I trust you’re not going to tell Woody what I’m asking you to look up?” Bayless said.
Sunday through Friday, Bayless lived at a Residence Inn in Connecticut. He watched sports day and night and took copious notes in small handwriting that looked, Parker said, “like a doctor’s prescription.” He maintained a strict diet of chicken and broccoli, a shock of blonde hair and a morning exercise routine that he believed was essential for the job. “There’s not a single person that prepares more for their job than Skip Bayless,” said Kevin Reeder, longtime “First Take” producer.

Horowitz knew the show needed to center on Bayless, but he asked Blyn if they could conduct qualitative research to back up the quantitative. So in 2011, they embarked on a multi-city tour with focus groups. At each stop, Blyn and Horowitz played episodes of “First Take” to hardcore sports fans while Horowitz sat on the other side of the glass with pen and paper. The focus groups expressed strong opinions about Bayless when he appeared on the screen. Many said they disliked him and his opinions, but they all seemed to know — and care — about what he said. There was something else: No one in the focus groups ever talked about Bayless’ debate partners on the show.

 

[Legal]

This was their top Gambling guy for the last 11 years.

It literally makes no sense.

It does and it doesn't.

On one hand, he's been their main betting guy.

But on the other hand, their betting guy is ALL he was. Once he stopped hosting The Daily Wager, he mostly just popped up here and there to discuss bets. The other main betting personalities all have some play in other fields. ESPN is making it very clear that unless you're a notable draw, just doing one thing isn't going to cut it. Especially since ESPN doesn't have a whole lot of ways to say they directly benefitted from his expertise.

It sucks, but breh had a nice run, and got to spend the last few years out in Vegas working out of the Linq while doing relatively minimal work. He can probably find out there that might be able to make better use of his skills.

 

[MikelArteta]

This was their top Gambling guy for the last 11 years.

It literally makes no sense.

looks like they got an opening for you

 

[Rev]

I know this was posted in the Mina Kimes thread, but looks like she’s having a baby boy very soon. Wonder what this does to the Monday Night Countdown rumors and her situation this season.

 

[The Amerikkkan Idol]

Bayless was obsessively committed to his work. On his first date with his now-wife, Ernestine, he told her: “You will never be more important than my job for me.”

This dude is just sick.

Like seriously, I've been saying for a long time that Skip is mentally ill.

When you hear about his childhood, you get it, dude is is fukked up

 

[<<TheStandard>>]

looks like they got an opening for you

I had been in constant communication with them over the past few weeks after visiting Bristol. They didn't have an offer for me at the time even though they're interested.

I had another company after me with an offer tho.

I decided to re-up with the Ringer this week after one convo with the company. I felt at home honestly.

 

[tremonthustler1]

I know this was posted in the Mina Kimes thread, but looks like she’s having a baby boy very soon. Wonder what this does to the Monday Night Countdown rumors and her situation this season.

Diana Russini had a baby during the season too. She'll probably get more work while Mina is away and then revisit it all in a year.

 

[Street Knowledge]

Stephen A loves sports but you can tell he enjoys talking other subjects like politics and relationships. He was talking about the Keke Palmer situation and now he's on the Crew has it podcast. I didn't know he was a die hard power fan

IMO lot of these people want to be political analysts but can’t get into that world so they’re bitter

 

[Rev]

 

[Thavoiceofthevoiceless]

IMO lot of these people want to be political analysts but can’t get into that world so they’re bitter

It’s exactly what Michelle Tofoya tried and failed to do after leaving the NFL.

 

[FAH1223]

Listen to the first 15 minutes and Stephen A Smith talks about finally having a breaking point this year (2022-23).

 

[K-Apps]

Apple or Amazon would get this imo, definitely smart for Disney to have some sort of business relationship with either company.