http://www.outkickthecoverage.com/espn-cutting-nearly-100-million-in-on-air-talent-030617 "From 1979 to 2011 ESPN had the best business model in the history of sports. (The cable and satellite bundle is the greatest money making venture in the history of media.) But starting in 2011 the business began to change. In a hurry. Most didn't recognize it, but I wrote my first article about ESPN's challenges in 2011. Right at the absolute peak of the cable market, I wrote this piece, "Why ESPN has already lost the future." I didn't get everything right -- far from it -- but my basic thesis was correct -- ESPN was a glorified middleman that most didn't need. ESPN realized this and overpaid for sports rights to ensure its continuing relevancy. The worst TV contract in the history of sports was the result -- ESPN's rights deal with the NBA. A deal so lucrative for the NBA that every cable and satellite subscriber in the country, the vast majority of whom will never watch an NBA game, is paying over $30 a year for the NBA. That's how Mike Conley can make over $30 million a year. "
Zach Lowe needs an outlet. Jalen and Jacoby are entertaining (to me). Get them back with BS at the Ringer and call it a day.
I do. Call me a dinosaur, I guess. I actually DVR the Neil Everett/Stan Verrett sportscenter to watch when I get up at 4am.
That's a good point . If you want to watch NBA highlights you go NBATV which is much more extensive. If you want NFL highlights you go to NFLtv. During baseball season there are way too many baseball highlights for me to sit through. So the summer months I never turn it on. Most of the games I watch are during the college football season. But even then I watch the pac 12 network more. A lot of competition now for ESPN that is more specialized to one's particular tastes.
I used to watch PTI but I believe their success and format led us to skip Bayless, so I now hate it very much.
His voice and opinions are what lead me to skip Bayless. I skipped him on ESPN, and I continue to skip him on FS1.
Stephen A Racist Jamelle Hill Chris Berman The women on shows just because they are women Can all go Don't get me wrong, I have no issue with women, but give them a purpose other than cleavage.
I'm sorry people are losing their jobs but FUCK ESPN. There's a reason people are switching to streaming options and it isn't just convenience. ESPN show formats are garbage. I like a little talk show radio format from time to time. But convincing these shallow, blow dried dipshits that they need to be "multi-media personalities" only hurts your ratings. Ex-athletes have a rep with fans these guys will never touch. Also, excluding hockey and baseball coverage to over promote your own fucking programing, destroys the notion of complete sports coverage in the first place. Hire some fresh thinking CEO and get some new ideas..... or slowly die.
Owned by Disney so at the end of THe day when ESPN goes bankrupt I know the parent company will still be alright.
It is really odd - I loved listening to calabro on radio doing national stuff... but then he got on our team and it's so, so underwhelming.
OK, I'll chime in on this topic..... ESPN has lost its way. It used to deliver a balance of news and highlights of the day or the previous day's events. That's why most people tuned in. It doesn't seem to be that format any longer. Reminds me of MTV going from Music Videos to all the other crap that doesn't interest me. ESPN in the morning used to show highlights - now early to mid morning its a talk show. Spare me. Yes, I'm also an old fogy who doesn't like the constant music and loud noise at Blazers games. I prefer being able to root on my own and believe me I know when the team needs to be spurred on. I fondly remember days in the MC when end-zone / behind-the-basket fans would stomp their feet to get the team going!!
