Madden fans urge EA to use ESPN's laid off stars as game’s commentators - “Need to see Jeff Van Gundy doing an NFL game”

A Redditor had an interesting idea involving Jeff Van Gundy after the recent ESPN on-cam talent layoffs.

He shared a list of those affected by Disney CEO Bob Iger's directive to reduce the workforce in their conglomerate.

After this, he suggested these changes to Electronic Arts' Madden 24:

“Suzy kolbert (Kolber) doing sidelines, McShay doing pre and post-draft coverage, Hasselbeck and or Young doing updated color commentating. The game needs it, and there is open bandwidth to make it happen. But it won't because EA is EA.”

Madden should revitalize their announcing with laid off ESPN talent by u/cheesin716 in Madden

The suggestions led to these comments on the game's subreddit.

Comment by u/depastino from discussion Madden should revitalize their announcing with laid off ESPN talent in Madden

Comment by u/xpackerx from discussion Madden should revitalize their announcing with laid off ESPN talent in Madden

Comment by u/Oniwaban9 from discussion Madden should revitalize their announcing with laid off ESPN talent in Madden

Comment by u/Awesome_Opossum24 from discussion Madden should revitalize their announcing with laid off ESPN talent in Madden

Comment by u/Phenomenal_Hoot from discussion Madden should revitalize their announcing with laid off ESPN talent in Madden

Comment by u/Youngblood519 from discussion Madden should revitalize their announcing with laid off ESPN talent in Madden

Comment by u/Ok_Imagination_4374 from discussion Madden should revitalize their announcing with laid off ESPN talent in Madden

Comment by u/Ok_Imagination_4374 from discussion Madden should revitalize their announcing with laid off ESPN talent in Madden

Electronic Arts must try more innovative features for Madden 24. Otherwise, as YouTuber Flight White revealed, they risk losing the right to produce the NFL-sanctioned game.

However, there have been complaints about the game before its official release, including the "lifeless" commentary from Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis.

Despite these views, EA tried to enhance the game by offering crossplay, allowing gamers with different consoles to enjoy the exact match. It also improved the FIELDSENSE Hit Everything feature from Madden 23.

But it would be odd to hear Jeff Van Gundy in an NFL commentary because he is widely associated with the National Basketball Association. He started as a guest analyst for ESPN's coverage of a 2007 game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Phoenix Suns.

Since then, Van Gundy has been a regular ESPN NBA broadcast panel member. He has established an iconic and entertaining chemistry with play-by-play announcer Mike Breen and former NBA player Mark Jackson.

He became a fan favorite for his witty observations that sometimes go beyond basketball. That trait should make him a bizarre yet engaging choice for Madden 24.

Before joining the ESPN panel, Jeff Van Gundy became a New York Knicks assistant coach from 1986 to 1996. He took over the squad in 1996 and stayed on the job until 2001.

Two years later, he became the Houston Rockets' head coach. His tenure with the Rockets ended in 2007, and he has never had a coaching job.

Who else did ESPN let go aside from Jeff Van Gundy?

Other than Jeff Van Gundy, ESPN released several household names, particularly in their NFL coverage. Suzy Kolber got a pink slip after nearly three decades at the sports network. Throughout her stint, she was part of football programs like College GameDay, Monday Night Football, and Monday Night Countdown.

ESPN's NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay was also released. He has covered the draft for the network since 2006 and was part of the main panel in 2021.

Finally, ESPN also fired Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young. He first appeared on ESPN's Sunday NFL Countdown in 2000. The three-time Super Bowl champion then transfered to Monday Night Countdown.