Things aren't looking good for ESPN, and Deadspin explains many factors that have contributed to their financial hardship:
Over the last several years rights fees have skyrocketed, with ESPN now paying over $3.3 billion annually just to broadcast the NFL and NBA. Simultaneously, ESPN’s subscriber count and viewership—the fabled dual revenue stream that has made it the most envied television company in the country—have tumbled. While the loss of 12 million subscribers over five years is mostly due to generalized cord cutting, and not subscribers specifically dropping ESPN, it doesn’t really matter: It still amounts to losing almost a billion dollars annually. The status quo is unsustainable, and with rights fees already locked in for several years, salaries are one of the biggest areas available to cut expenses.
In October 2015, ESPN laid off 300 employees behind the scenes, and most viewers didn't notice. Now, however, Sports Illustrated reports that ESPN is getting rid of some of the on-air talent:
SI has learned that ESPN will have significant cost-cutting over the next four months on its talent side (people in front of the camera or audio/digital screen). Multiple sources said ESPN has been tasked with paring tens of millions of staff salary from its payroll, including staffers many viewers and readers will recognize. Those with contracts coming up would be particularly vulnerable, sources said. The company is also expected to buyout some existing contracts, which is something rare for ESPN historically beyond a few NFL talents. The cuts are expected to be completed by June.
Deadspin asks, "What is ESPN’s identity if it is no longer a world-conquering behemoth? ESPN has built its brand on there never being a credible alternative—on you never having to change the channel, spin the radio dial, or go to another website—and by being the biggest mover in any field it decides to enter." But conservatives realize that it is a matter of identity -- identity politics. The DailyWire summed it up nicely:
ESPN has been hemorrhaging viewers because of its outspoken politics. From giving Caitlyn Jenner a heroism award to stumping for Black Lives Matter, from pushing gun control to praising Kaepernick’s heroism, from firing Curt Schilling for expressing anti-radical Islam sentiments to threatening Chris Broussard for taking a religious view of homosexuality while doing nothing about Kevin Blackistone for calling the national anthem a “war anthem,” ESPN has become – as I’ve long said – MSNBC with footballs.
Yep. Will ESPN and the NFL learn their lesson and quit offending more than half of America with their left leaving politics? It'll be interesting to see how many people's jobs they're willing to sacrifice on the altar of Progressivism.
