SportsCenter anchor Ashley Brewer out among ESPN layoffs
“SportsCenter” anchor Ashley Brewer has been let go as part of ESPN’s continuing spate of layoffs.
Brewer, 31, has been behind the “SportsCenter” desk since Sept. 2020 and was previously a host for “SportsNation” and co-host of the Sunday night edition of “GameNight” on ESPN radio.
“I am so grateful for my time at ESPN and the opportunity to host Sportscenter. I learned and grew so much as a broadcaster and person,” Brewer wrote in in a tweet following the news.
“I will really miss all of the wonderful friends I made along the way. I know God has a plan for my life and I look forward to what’s next.”
In this round of cuts, ESPN is reportedly laying off 20 on-air personalities on Friday.
Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson and Jalen Rose were all included on the list of big-name goodbyes.
I am so grateful for my time at ESPN and the opportunity to host Sportscenter. I learned and grew so much as a broadcaster and person. I will really miss all of the wonderful friends I made along the way.
I know God has a plan for my life and I look forward to what’s next.
Van Gundy, 61, was ESPN’s top NBA analyst and spent 16 years calling games alongside Mike Breen and Mark Jackson.
The network’s layoffs are in an effort to save tens of millions of dollars, sparked by Disney’s restructuring.
Disney –– ESPN’s majority owner –– announced in February a plan to cut 7,000 jobs across the company, trickling down to ESPN’s staff and employees.
Everything to know about ESPN Layoffs
On Friday, ESPN began the latest round of its layoffs, with several big names among the 20 or so on-air personalities being let go.
Network stalwarts Jeff Van Gundy, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber, Matt Hasselbeck, Steve Young and Todd McShay were some of the biggest names let go of by ESPN.
It marked the third round of layoffs by the “Worldwide Leader,” with the previous two focusing on behind-the-scenes workers.
The massive layoffs come as part of mandates from parent company Disney, which announced earlier this year that around 7,000 jobs would be eliminated.
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Bob Iger, Disney’s CEO, said the changes are part of a $5.5 billion cost-cutting goal.
While the layoffs, which started in April, happened in three rounds, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has begun an extra round, shaving off talent from the payroll.
The Post reported in April that ESPN is looking to slim down existing seven-figure contracts, specifically talent making $2 million-$5 million per year.
ESPN reportedly notified its employees of Friday’s changes on an internal website.
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