ESPN has announced further layoffs, with senior NBA writer Zach Lowe being the latest departure as the network continues to cut costs. The Athletic reported that Lowe’s exit is part of the fiscal year planning concluding in September, and he is expected to be the last person let go in this round of layoffs.
Lowe’s departure follows the surprising retirement of NBA reporter Adrian “Woj” Wojnarowski after seven years at ESPN. These losses leave the network without two prominent basketball writers just as the NBA season approaches, despite having recently secured an expensive 11-year broadcasting deal with the NBA, which Disney CEO Bob Iger termed a “tremendous value.”
Earlier, ESPN also parted ways with Robert Griffin III and NFL Countdown host Sam Ponder. Sources indicated that the cuts aimed to reduce expenses. Griffin had two years remaining on his contract, while Ponder was entering the last year of her three-year deal. The network recently brought in former NFL player Jason Kelce to host Monday Night Countdown, highlighting a shift in on-air talent.
In July, longtime NBA announcer Mark Jackson was also laid off, following the earlier departure of his broadcast partner Jeff Van Gundy and several others in June. ESPN’s layoffs, which affected numerous well-known personalities, were reportedly not linked to Disney’s broader layoffs in recent months. A spokesperson for ESPN confirmed the need for cost-saving measures, emphasizing the need for efficiency rather than merit in their decision-making process.
The network acknowledged the impact of these layoffs, stating that they are difficult decisions aimed at achieving financial targets and ensuring future growth.