ESPN to implement job cuts that could extend to personalities who appear on TV, radio, online

ESPN will implement job cuts through June that will affect some of the personalities who appear on TV, radio and online.

The cut will only affect talents and not rank-and-file employees according to insiders familiar with the issue.

The details of the job cuts are still in the process to be finalized but layoffs would definitely take place through June. Reports mention that there have been no further announcements on which personalities will be affected by the job cut. However, sources claim that personalities whose contracts are up for renewal may be cut first. ESPN may also buy out contracts that aren't ending soon.

"We have long been about serving fans and innovating to create the best content for them," ESPN said in a statement released on Tuesday. "Today's fans consume content in many different ways and we are in a continuous process of adapting to change and improving what we do." ESPN furthered that as a consequence to delivering what the fans want, the company will be laying off its present talents. ESPN claimed confidence in finding another roster of talent that is unequaled in sports.

It can be remembered that ESPN laid off some of its talents in 2015. Among the big names that saw the end of their contracts were Keith Olbermann and Bill Simmons, both of whom had expensive contracts with the sports channel. The following year, ESPN also implemented job cuts that affected 300 employees that were roughly four percent of the network's global workforce.

Although the company had a round of laid offs since 2013, during those incidents, hosts, reporters and commentators, alike, were generally not affected. The job cuts came as ESPN saw a growth in the number of viewers that unsubscribed from its channel. Aside from the decreasing subscribers, ESPN was paying for costly long-term deals with pro sports leagues.