Disney/ESPN Exec. Let Go After 43 Years While Wife Battles Cancer

Round Two of the bloodbath began today. What Disney CEO Bob Iger promised months ago has now come to fruition. The first round of layoffs at the Walt Disney Company started last month, and now, the second round of cuts began today, hitting Disney-owned ESPN the hardest.

This week, the Disney Company is expected to lay off “several thousand” people to get closer to the 7,000 employees Iger promised in February. Iger also told investors that this move would save the Walt Disney Company  $5.5 Billion. This round is expected to hit ESPN, Disney Entertainment, and Disney Parks the hardest. The final round of cuts is expected before the summer.

ESPN's second longest tenured employee, Mike Soltys (@espnmikes), is part of today's layoffs.

Soltys spent 43 years at the company. This is a huge loss for ESPN.

SBJ's story: https://t.co/UJcukvd193

— John Ourand (@Ourand_Puck) April 24, 2023

ESPN was hit hard when it was announced that Vice President of Corporate Communications Mike Soltys was laid off today. Soltys has been with ESPN for the past 43 years, nearly 98 percent of the company’s existence. His main job for the sports/entertainment giant was overseeing publicity for ESPN’s United States networks. As such, he had relationships with nearly every on-air talent on the network.

Soltys began his career at ESPN back in 1980 as an unpaid intern. Bill Rasmussen, the founder of ESPN, hired Soltys. In his 43 years at ESPN, Soltys worked in nearly all aspects of the communications department. He oversaw publicity for ESPN’s news operations and college sports coverage. Soltys was the second-longest tenured executive at the Connecticut-based company.

Richard Deitsch, a writer for the Athletic, said:

In all my years dealing with ESPN, Soltys was always professional. Always. Most importantly for them: He was a fountain of institutional knowledge. He believed deeply in ESPN. Clear-eyed about the co. but a genuine believer. He also ferociously defended talent. Brutal decision.

Several of ESPN’s on-air talents expressed regret when the announcement was made, none more so than legendary college basketball announcer Dick Vitale. Vitale has been with the network since September 1979, a few months after ESPN launched. Vitale expressed his sadness that Soltys was being let go after such a long career with the network but also revealed that Soltys’ wife was battling cancer.

It hurts to hear about @espnmikes MIKE SOLTYS as he has been such help to me in my 44 years @espn & with @TheVFoundation .My 🙏🙏🙏 go out to his super wife Teresa who is battling cancer as they have such a loving family .My heart goes out to all that were part of the cuts…

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 24, 2023

The sports media giant covers all four major American sports and nearly every major college sport, including college football and basketball. Disney purchased ABC and ESPN in 1996, and since Bob Iger’s return as CEO, there have been rumors that Disney is looking to sell ESPN.

While the number of subscribers to ESPN+ has remained stagnant over the years, ESPN still has the rights to several lucrative properties, including the NFL and, starting this fall, SEC football. This round of ESPN layoffs is not expected to affect any on-air talent at any of the ESPN networks or ESPN radio.

We will update you on the continual layoffs at the Walt Disney Company at Disney Fanatic.