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The Disney layoffs have been absolutely brutal.
When Disney CEO Bob Iger announced the layoffs in February of 2023, the community was shocked at the magnitude that Mr. Iger made clear was necessary as part of the cost-cutting efforts of the Walt Disney Company. The Mouse House committed to its shareholders that it would work to cut $5.5 billion in costs after the mess that former Disney CEO Bob Chapek left behind after his dramatic exit from the company.
Former Disney CEO Bob Chapek and current Disney CEO Bob Iger / Credit: ABC
In order to make this happen, Disney has parted ways with many senior executives in the company; not even those in the C-suite were safe. Disney’s Chief Diversity Officer, Latondra Newton, quit under strange circumstances, and Chief Financial Officer Christine McCarthy was let go, along with folks like Isaac Perlmutter, the Chairman of Marvel. Entire departments were eliminated across the board, including one that was former Disney CEO Bob Chapek’s project.
Now, there is a new round of shocking announcements of people who have been let go, this time from ESPN. As reported by USA Today, top analyst and household name Jeff Van Gundy has been let go.
BREAKING: ESPN has let go Jeff Van Gundy, per @AndrewMarchand pic.twitter.com/7s2mbBqnbx
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 30, 2023
Related: ESPN Fires Longstanding Female Pioneer in Sports Broadcasting
Van Gundy isn’t the only one. NBA studio analyst Jalen Rose is also part of ESPN’s cuts, along with play-by-play announcer Mike Breen and fellow analyst Mark Jackson.
Jeff Van Gundy was part of ESPN’s “A team.” He served as head coach for the New York Knicks from 1996-2002 and for the Houston Rockets from 2003-2007. Van Gundy had been with ESPN since he left the bench. As reported by USA Today,
He developed a brand of being disgusted with NBA officiating but also was a clear and effective communicator of a coach’s decisions and responsibilities.
“Partners” statue in front of Cinderella Castle, Magic Kingdom Park, Walt Disney World Resort / Credit: Disney
According to a memo obtained by several news outlets, ESPN is reportedly looking into “a small group of job cuts in the short-term and an ongoing focus on managing costs when we negotiate individual contract renewals in the months ahead.”
The company stated, “These difficult decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth.”
