June 30, 2023

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It’s the start of a long holiday weekend for many, but a grim day in Bristol, Connecticut, as ESPN’s staff cuts hit another group of on-air talent. Also, Nike announces its plan to bring back one of the most popular sneaker lines ever, and historic unity arrives in women’s pro hockey.

Have a happy Fourth of July, and be sure to check out our stories on NASCAR’s Chicago street race experiment and the surprisingly big business behind Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest in the newsletter this weekend.

We’ll be back with a full AM edition on Wednesday, July 5.

— Eric [[link removed]] & David [[link removed]]

ESPN’s NFL, NBA Coverage Will Look Much Different After Layoffs [[link removed]]

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

NFL and NBA coverage on the self-proclaimed Worldwide Leader in Sports is about to look a whole lot different.

On Friday, ESPN conducted [[link removed]] its latest wave of its layoffs, eliminating the jobs of about 20 on-air personalities — including big names such as Jalen Rose, Max Kellerman, Todd McShay, LaPhonso Ellis, Keyshawn Johnson, and Steve Young.

Perhaps most startling are the layoffs of prominent NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy and Suzy Kolber, a 27-year veteran of ESPN and a fixture on network tentpoles such as “Monday Night Countdown” and coverage of the NFL Draft.

The front-facing staff cuts fundamentally reshape the on-air presentation of two of ESPN’s most high-profile sports. The network is tied to the NFL through 2033 and seeks to renew its existing NBA rights.

The staff cuts have devastated the morale [[link removed]] at the company, with the Bristol, Connecticut, campus described by one staff employee as “like a morgue.”

“This is an extremely challenging process, involving individuals who have had a tremendous impact on our company,” the network said.

Cord-Cutting Fallout

The staff reductions arrive as ESPN, like so many other U.S. cable outlets, struggles with ongoing cord-cutting by consumers and the massive financial challenges they present. ESPN is now in 72.5 million homes, according to Nielsen, down 28% from a peak of 100.1 million in 2011 — and the yearly subscriber losses are accelerating.

Overall, parent company Disney is eliminating 7,000 jobs — about 3% of its global workforce — as it cuts at least $5.5 billion in costs.

Nike To Revive Kobe Signature Shoe Line [[link removed]]

Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

More than three years after his death, Kobe Bryant will again be the center of a signature shoe line.

Nike president and CEO John Donahoe announced during a quarterly earnings call that the company will revive one of the most popular shoe lines ever among general consumers, sneakerheads, and NBA players this summer.

“It’s going to be an exciting summer, as we set the stage to relaunch the Kobe brand in advance of Kobe Day on Aug. 24,” Donahoe said, referencing the annual commemoration of Bryant corresponding to his jersey Nos. 8 and 24.

Donahoe didn’t provide further details about Nike’s plans with the Bryant line, but the move is a significant step following prior acrimony between Nike and Bryant’s widow, Vanessa.

After a nearly 20-year relationship between Nike, Bryant, and then his estate ended in 2021, the parties struck a new pact the following year to continue the Kobe line — and also honor late daughter Gianna.

Mixed Earnings Report

Nike also delivered a mixed earnings report for its fiscal fourth quarter and full year. The company posted revenue of $51.2 million for its fiscal year 2023, up 10% and above $50 million for the first time, boosted by a 29% sales surge for its Jordan brand.

Net income for the year sagged 16% to $5.1 billion, missing expectations for the first time in three years as Nike grappled with increased inventory levels, tighter margins, and higher tax rates.

On Friday, Nike stock opened trading down more than 2%, extending a yearlong decline.

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Dodgers Owner Buys The PHF To Unify Women’s Pro Hockey [[link removed]]

Syndication: Arizona Republic

Los Angeles Dodgers controlling owner Mark Walter is consolidating the top women’s professional hockey in North America into a new, unified league with substantial support from the NHL.

For the past several years, two entities had been vying for premier status after top players broke away from the Premier Hockey Federation — formally the National Women’s Hockey League — and formed the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association.

The Mark Walter Group and Billie Jean King Enterprises had been supporting PWHPA efforts that included event collaborations with NHL teams. The PHF boosted [[link removed]] teams’ salary cap to $1.5 million this past season, had a media rights deal [[link removed]] with ESPN, and also worked with NHL teams.

Now, Walter and his wife Kimbra have acquired the PHF and will shutter that league’s operations, preparing to fund and launch a new unified women’s hockey league in January 2024. Board members will include King, her wife, former tennis star Ilana Kloss, and Dodgers President Stan Kasten.

The NHL told Front Office Sports it congratulates the PWHPA and PHF on their agreement.

“We already have initiated discussions with representatives of this unified group regarding how we can work together to continue to grow the women’s game,” a league spokesperson told FOS.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman had long stated his desire for a unified women’s game that the league can support rather than choosing from multiple entities. The development will bring PWHPA stars like Team USA’s Hilary Knight together with PHF standouts including MVP Loren Gabel and many other international players.

Financial details of the acquisition are not available, but the deal will void current PHF contracts — some in the six figures — and provide a minimum salary of $35,000 through 2031, according [[link removed]] to the Associated Press.

Conversation Starters Buzzer, the streaming startup founded in 2020 and backed by Michael Jordan, Kevin Durant, and other stars, announced Friday that it will shut down [[link removed]]. Watch TNT surprise [[link removed]] Ernie Johnson with news that he’s being inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The 2023 NHL Draft averaged 681,000 viewers on ESPN — the event’s largest [[link removed]] audience ever.

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Listen to some of our recent episodes, including Sue Bird, Ricky Williams, and Roger Bennett. With new episodes released daily, Monday through Friday, you won’t want to miss out.

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Editor's Picks Bad Day In Bristol: ESPN Axing 20 On-Air Talents [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]] and A.J. Perez [[link removed]]

Long time NBA analyst Jeff Van Gundy has been swept out in ESPN layoffs.

NBA Analyst Jeff Van Gundy Out at ESPN After 16 Years [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

Van Gundy called NBA games with Mike Breen and Mark Jackson.

Vince Carter Could Leave Downsizing ESPN [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]]

The NBA on ESPN coverage will look different next season.

Could Sage Steele’s Lawsuit Spare Anchor From ESPN Cutbacks? [[link removed]]by A.J. Perez [[link removed]]

Including Steele in latest cuts at network could increase ESPN's liability in case.

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