According to sources, a longtime ESPN executive has been ousted from the network following allegations from one of its stars.
Norby Williamson, who worked his way up at the company to become President of Content, has purportedly been ousted from the network.
Many speculate that the longtime sports broadcasting executive parted ways with ESPN due to allegations made by Pat McAfee.
Earlier this year, McAfee claimed that Williamson was attempting to sabotage his show. Williamson has been with the network for nearly 4 decades. Here’s what is currently being reported:
In January, rising ESPN star Pat McAfee called Norby Williamson out by name, saying the executive was trying to sabotage the Pat McAfee Show. pic.twitter.com/0QC5vBobX6
— Barrett Sports Media (@BSMStaff) April 5, 2024
The New York Post proposed a different theory:
About a year ago, Burke Magnus was promoted above Williamson to become president of ESPN content.
Sources said that Magnus and Williamson did not share a vision that aligned with ESPN’s long-term strategy and that Magnus made the decision to part ways with the seasoned executive.
People had different takes on the purported ouster of Williamson from the leading cable sports network and the broader climate at ESPN.
What a run of 4 decades for Norby Williamson.
Say what you want about him, but thousands of employees and millions upon millions of sports fans benefitted from his work and leadership.
Norby is one of the most impactful and important people behind the scenes in ESPN’s history. https://t.co/xiUr24KkTD
— Scott Turken (@Turk0219) April 5, 2024
Norby Williamson, whom Pat McAfee accused of sabotaging his show earlier this year, is out at ESPN.
Williamson had been at ESPN for nearly 40 years, working his way up from the mailroom to becoming one of the company's top executives.
This feels like a changing of the guard. https://t.co/MEDLIlsgpV
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) April 5, 2024
The problem isn’t Norby Williamson. The problem at ESPN is Disney owning it. https://t.co/OEkydBklpi
— Kris (@KrisPhoSho) April 5, 2024
Breitbart featured this statement from Williamson:
“Almost 40 years ago, in 1985, I was so very fortunate to be offered an opportunity at ESPN.
Due to the exceptional hard work, creativity, and commitment of the people of ESPN, and to a much lesser extent my contributions, I’d like to think we’ve left our great company in a far better place than we found it.”
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