I totally understand layoffs happen all the time, but what ESPN did recently with these layoffs was completely bogus and ridiculous to so many wonderful people who were so good on at their jobs. A couple of them caught my eye which made me very angry. ESPN once earned my respect but not anymore after these layoffs happened as ESPN is really falling down hard where they have so many issues right now.
The layoffs that really made me scratch my head were longtime NFL reporter and host Suzy Kolber, longtime NBA lead game analyst Jeff Van Gundy, NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay and College Football analyst David Pollack. Again I understand layoffs happen but ESPN is going to regret letting go of these big names who are really good at their jobs as I hope rival networks scoop them up and show ESPN who is boss.
ESPN and ABC had a really good lead booth with the trio of Mike Breen, Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson who have called every NBA Finals since 2006-07 except for the 2012 and 2013 NBA Finals when Mark Jackson was the head coach of the Golden State Warriors. ESPN will regret big time letting go of Jeff Van Gundy who calls a really good game, I really hope Turner scoops him up where he can join his brother Stan Van Gundy and show ESPN who is boss. If I were ESPN would have Mike Breen, Doris Burke or Doc Rivers replace JVG on the lead team with Mark Jackson but who knows how that will shake out.
I really enjoyed Suzy Kolber on ESPN and I really going to miss her where she did interviews at the NFL Draft after the top prospects were selected, sideline reporter on Monday Night Football when ESPN got MNF in 2006 and host on Monday Night Countdown. Suzy was so good at her job and I really hope the NFL Network scoops her up and shows ESPN who is boss. Monday Night Countdown won’t be the same without Suzy Kolber sadly.
ESPN has a lot of problems right now as I have been watching less and less of them after these ridiculous layoffs happened recently. ESPN First Take I am sorry I don’t watch anymore as Molly Qerim is a terrible moderator who time after time interrupts way too much and Stephen A. Smith shouts way too much. Yes Chris Mad Dog Russo is a big name and legendary but just like Stephen A. Smith he shouts way too much as well. The one thing I like about Stephen A. Smith is his hate towards the fans of the Dallas Cowboys who are the worst in all of the NFL. ESPN First Take made a huge mistake bringing on Chris Mad Russo and I think he has made the show unwatchable. Hey ESPN First Take enough about the Dallas Cowboys where you almost talk about them every day, it’s so damm annoying where no one wants to hear about the same stuff time after time.
Another problem with ESPN is Malika Andrews who is doing a terrible job as host of NBA Today. ESPN made a huge mistake removing Rece Davis off the NBA Draft in favor of Malika Andrews and it has showed big time. Recently when the Charlotte Hornets drafted Brandon Miller out of Alabama Malika ruined his moment by bringing up the gun saga from Alabama where the young man was trying to enjoy his moment, shame on you Malika Andrews for ruining his moment. When the Celtics named Joe Mazzulla was named HC of the Boston Celtics after the Ime Udoka saga, Malika had to bring up a DUI from over 10 years ago, who the heck cares. I will tell you this if a white person had an issue Malika wouldn’t bring it up but I notice a pattern here if the person was black Malika sadly would. ESPN really needs to move on from Malika Andrews as she is getting worse and worse by the minute.
Another problem I have with ESPN is Mike Greenberg who is known a morning sports talk host has been hosting the NFL Draft these last couple of years. I don’t mind mind him on NBA Countdown as much but his supporting cast outside of Michael Wilbon needs a major shakeup. Inside the NBA which is on TNT is the best NBA studio show and it’s not even close. Mike Greenberg should stick to sports talk shows and not be the host of the NFL Draft as I watch the NFL Networks coverage instead as Greeny has made the NFL Draft on ESPN sadly unwatchable. ESPN needs to fix this problem ASAP and many of it’s problems.