ESPN has continued to make changes to its on-air roster, and one former host spoke critically about The Walt Disney Co. (DIS) -) network’s decision making.
Michelle Beadle, who left ESPN in 2019, told Front Office Sports that she believes ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” its NBA pregame show, is far behind its rivals at TNT because of the lack of continuity at the Disney network.
“That position and that show has never been allowed to marinate and it’s sort of why you continue to see change,” Beadle told Front Office Sports. “It’s unfortunate and it’s why TNT dominates because they’re allowed to marinate for decades and the product gets better with year after year.”
DON’T MISS: ESPN Is Reportedly Trying to Poach One of Fox's Top Talents to Bolster Its Radio Network
TNT’s - (WBD) -) Emmy-award winning pregame show “Inside The NBA” has had mostly the same cast for the last few decades, led by host Ernie Johnson alongside Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal. The quartet has been the same since O’Neal joined in 2011, while the previous three had been around since at least the beginning of the century.
Meanwhile, ESPN has consistently juggled its roster on “NBA Countdown,” which included Beadle from 2016 to 2019. For the upcoming 2023-24 NBA season, ESPN is going to have to replace Jalen Rose, who had been on the show for over a decade, after he was let go during the company’s June layoffs.
Many of the “NBA Countdown” roster have only joined the show over the last few years, including hosts Mike Greenberg and Malika Andrews. The other analysts are Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, Richard Jefferson, Chiney Ogwumike, and Kendrick Perkins.
More ESPN:
- ESPN Is Exploring a Unique Partnership With NBA and NFL, Report Says
- Stephen A. Smith Gives Grim Outlook on ESPN Amid Recent Layoffs
- ESPN Layoffs: Prominent On-Air Talents Among The Network's 20-Person Staff Reduction
Beadle, who is now part of the broadcast team of the San Antonio Spurs, also told FOS that she actually gets quite gleeful to see some of her colleagues leave the network knowing they’ll have a chance to spread their wings.
“I love seeing people that I enjoy and respect and loved working with being released into the wild,” Beadle said. “And to be honest with you, most of the time in a more free platform and they get to be themselves, which is what I love.”
