Woke ESPN Just Gutted Their Top 20 Stars

ESPN has cut 20 of its biggest stars in a last ditch effort to keep the company financially healthy.

Some of the biggest names that were laid off were Keyshawn Johnson, Max Kellerman, Jalen Rose and Jeff Van Gundy.

Despite ESPN claiming they made the layoffs in order to keep the producers and technicians behind the scenes from being cut, the firings from ESPN come after they gave former NFL player Pat McAfee a $85 million dollar contract.

Here’s the full list:

I know ESPN has had a lot of layoffs before but I don't think it's hyperbole to say this might be the darkest day in the network's 44-year history. Brutal. pic.twitter.com/GwXv7rbv3h

— College Sports Only (@CollegeSportsO) July 1, 2023

ESPN…Just tell us the score, not the pronouns. @espn https://t.co/qML7GcPTCY

— Booker (@RealBookerScott) June 30, 2023

The firings from ESPN could turn the network back into its main goal of reporting sports and not pushing liberal talking points.

Check out Max Kellerman one of the “stars” that were fired talking about Colin Kaepernick kneeling:

The very best Max Kellerman moment in ESPN history! With the stamp of approval from Snoop Dogg!

I'll never forget when he was talking about the Colin Kaepernick protest and racism in the NFL!

I can't wait to see what Max does next. pic.twitter.com/JXXXJQmATa

— Travoris Black🤟🏿 (@kingblaq80) July 1, 2023

ESPN is letting go Max Kellerman, per @AndrewMarchand pic.twitter.com/JrjfIEdcF1

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 30, 2023

Here’s what the New York Post reported:

ESPN is laying off some of its biggest stars, including Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber and Jalen Rose, in a purge that was expected to result in around 20 on-air personalities being let go Friday as the network hopes to save tens of millions of dollars, The Post has learned.

ESPN informed all of its employees Friday morning of the forthcoming cuts on an internal website, according to a memo obtained by The Post.

The five-paragraph note did not go into many specifics.

At the beginning of Disney’s three rounds of layoffs, sources told The Post there would be “no sacred cows” at ESPN when letting go of personnel.

This became apparent on Friday.

ESPN laid off nearly 20 on-air talents today — some of whom have served the network for two decades or more.

A look at who was affected by ESPN's latest round of cuts »

— Front Office Sports (@FOS) June 30, 2023

Per CNN:

ESPN is laying off around 20 high-profile sports commentators as part of a cost-cutting initiative, a source with knowledge of the layoffs told CNN.

Among those let go were Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, Jalen Rose and LaPhonso Ellis, the source said. Suzy Kolber also announced she had been laid off.

The cuts to Disney’s global workforce are part of a multibillion-dollar cost-cutting initiative aimed at streamlining the company’s operations. The company reported operating profit grew 56%, to $12.1 billion, in 2022.

“Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries,” ESPN said in a statement.

The company did not comment on who was laid off, but some of the former network staff began to announce their departures on social media.