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The recent ESPN layoffs are still a huge topic of discussion in the sports world, with around 20 high-profile employees losing their jobs on Friday.
Even current ESPN employees are having a say on the matter. Stephen A. Smith, who makes frequent appearances as an NBA analyst, voiced his opinion on The Stephen A. Smith Show podcast, hosted by ESPN Radio.
Smith stated that the internet outrage he faced due to the layoffs had something to do with racism since other white employees' jobs weren't questioned:
“Let me address something to some of the haters out there about me. Y’all can kiss my a**. Twice,” Smith said. “And I’m talking directly to the people in the industry who sat up there and said, ‘Why isn’t Stephen A. gone?’ Ladies and gentlemen, we have a few people at ESPN getting paid more than me.
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"They don’t have a No. 1 show, they don’t have top ratings, they don’t generate more revenue, and by the way, none of them are Black. How come you didn’t bring their names up? I wonder why?"
Smith's contract is worth $12 million a year considering his regular salary and his production contract. It's a real bargain when compared to some other deals handed by the network, such as Pat McAfee's $85 million contract over the next five years.
Which ESPN employees were fired?
Here's a complete list of on-air talent that lost their jobs during last Friday's layoff:
- Jeff Van Gundy
- Jalen Rose
- Keyshawn Johnson
- Max Kellerman
- Suzy Kolber
- Chris Chelios
- Matt Hasselbeck
- Steve Young
- Rob Ninkovich
- Neil Everett
- Ashley Brewer
- Joon Lee
- LaPhonso Ellis
- Todd McShay
- Jordan Cornette
- Jason Fitz
- David Pollack
Per The New York Post, the broadcaster expects to save "tens of millions of dollars". In 2022, Disney reported operating profit grew 56% to $12.1 billion.
Most of these analysts should join new companies soon based on their talents, as they're some of the best in the business. Unless they decide to retire from TV analysis, their faces should reappear on television soon.
