Jeff Van Gundy, Jalen Rose among big-name ESPN layoffs on Friday

NBA analysts Jeff Van Gundy and Jalen Rose were among several prominent commentators dropped by ESPN on Friday in moves designed to reduce the network’s payroll commitment.

Van Gundy, who reportedly was earning several million dollars annually, had teamed with Mike Breen and Mark Jackson on ABC’s and ESPN’s lead NBA team for the past 16 years. Van Gundy previously coached the Knicks.

ESPN could promote Doris Burke or J.J. Redick to replace Van Gundy or could try to hire former ESPN announcer Doc Rivers if he comes cheaply. Rivers was fired by the Philadelphia 76ers after this past season.

Rose had been a staple of ESPN’s NBA studio programming for more than a decade, surviving repeated changes to the program. Kendrick Perkins, Richard Jefferson and Redick would all be candidates to replace Rose alongside Mike Greenberg, Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon.

A source confirmed the dismissals of Van Gundy and Rose.

Equally as stunning as the departures of Van Gundy and Rose was the dismissal of longtime draft analyst Todd McShay. For years, McShay had been viewed as Mel Kiper Jr.’s likely successor whenever Kiper retired. The Kiper/McShay joint mock drafts and debates provided considerable content for both ESPN’s studio shows and ESPN.com draft pieces.

Among other ESPN cuts, per the New York Post’s Andrew Marchand and other reports: NFL analysts Keyshawn Johnson, Steve Young, Matt Hasselbeck and Rob Ninkovich; NFL Monday night host Suzy Kolber; longtime host Max Kellerman; “SportsCenter” anchor Ashley Brewer, college football studio analyst David Pollack and college basketball analyst and former Heat player LaPhonso Ellis.

Johnson signed a five-year, $18 million contract with ESPN last year to continue to do a radio show and make TV appearances. ESPN will write off what he’s still due on that deal, according to the New York Post.

Kellerman, who was said to be earning $5 million per year, had been Smith’s sparring partner on “First Take” from 2016 through 2021 before leaving that program. He has hosted an early afternoon show on ESPN since then and has been a longtime presence on the network’s boxing coverage.

Kolber, who in recent years had largely limited her workload to hosting the “Monday Night Football” pregame show, said on Twitter: “Today I join the many hard-working colleagues who have been laid off. Heartbreaking but 27 years at ESPN was a good run. So grateful for a 38 year career! Longevity for a woman in this business is something I’m especially proud of. Next step — a project that gives back.”

Like Kolber, Young also made limited appearances on ESPN in recent years, mostly on Monday Night Football studio shows.

ESPN’s parent company, Disney, has been looking to cut costs, and the announcer layoffs Friday followed earlier dismissals of dozens of other ESPN employees who worked in off-air roles. Disney reportedly has been looking to lay off 7,000 employees company wide.

ESPN is not commenting on the dismissal of any individual but said in a statement: “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.

“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.

“This is an extremely challenging process, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. These difficult decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth.”