UPDATED with latest: ESPN senior NBA writer Zach Lowe is the latest to be let go from the sports network amid ongoing belt tightening at the Disney-owned outlet. The Athletic, which first reported the news, said the well-respected Lowe’s departure is “part of the network’s fiscal year planning that will wrap up at the conclusion of September. He is thought to be the last person who will be laid off in this round, according to the Athletic.
The 12-year ESPN vet was let go just days after the dean of NBA reporters, Adrian “Woj” Wojnarowski, made the stunning announcement that he was retiring after seven years at the network. That leaves ESPN without two of its best basketball writers with the NBA season tipping off in less than a month and amid the company’s pricey 11-year rights extension with the NBA a few weeks ago. The new agreement, which Disney CEO Bob Iger called a “tremendous value,” came at a significant increase in costs over the previous deal.
PREVIOUSLY on August 15, 2024: ESPN has parted ways with Robert Griffin III and NFL Countdown host Sam Ponder , Deadline has learned. The Athletic , which first reported the news, said Griffin had two years left on his deal while Ponder was about to enter the last year of her three-year deal. Griffin’s exit from ESPN comes as the sports network signed retired Philadelphia Eagles player Jason Kelce as host for Monday Night Countdown .
Sources tell us that the decision to cut both on-air personalities was based .