Two more names have reportedly been added to the growing list of ESPN employees parting ways with the company this week. Sports betting insider Doug Kezirian’s contract will not be renewed, according to Front Office Sports. And boxing analyst Andre Ward, a former world champion, also announced he’s parting ways with the organization via Twitter.
“Tonight’s show was the last fight under my ESPN contract,” Ward wrote on Twitter on Sunday. “It’s been a great ride and I’m going to miss the whole ESPN crew that I’ve worked with for the last six years. I’m excited about my future and the chance to work on new projects and endeavors. Great things are ahead.”
SOG ✌🏽 pic.twitter.com/cEso7BwuZF
— Andre S.O.G. Ward (@andreward) July 2, 2023
Ward and Kezirian join a long list of big names that will no longer be a part of ESPN that include Jeff Van Gundy, Vince Carter, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber, Todd McShay, Steve Young, Matt Hasselbeck and more.
The company acknowledged the layoffs on Friday but did not confirm who was being let go or how many staff members were impacted. However, ESPN did appear to confirm that big-time contracts and on-air personalities will be targeted during these budget cuts.
“Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun,” the statement read. “This exercise will include a small group of job cuts in the short-term and an ongoing focus on managing costs when we negotiate individual contract renewals in the months ahead.”
