This NFL offseason is turning out to be an interesting one. Not just in terms of the trades and roster changes in the league, but also in the changes going on amongst people and personalities who cover the sport. We recently saw the ex-NFL star, Shannon Sharpe, making his exit after more than a decade alongside Skip Bayless on the Undisputed show. Not only this, but Tom Brady is also looking forward to joining Fox as an analyst from 2024 after securing a 10-year $375 million deal before retirement. 

And amidst all of these developments, another major sports network has been making headlines. But these headlines are all about the top talents of the network being axed, leading to the development of potential network rumors ahead of the new season of the NFL.

ESPN layoffs give birth to many rumors 

ESPN has been on the hot seat ever since beginning its cutdown of the global workforce as a part of its multi-million dollar cost-cutting strategies to focus on quality over quantity. Disney, which owns ESPN plans to lay off almost 7,000 employees globally from their channel. And as a part of this initiative, they exiled 20 prominent sports commentators from the channel in their most recent round of layoffs.. 

ESPN people reportedly let go today include: Suzy Kolber, Steve Young, Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, Jeff Van Gundy, Jalen Rose, Todd McShay, Matt Hasselbeck, Ashley Brewer, Joon Lee, LaPhonso Ellis.

There are about 10 more expected to be let go today

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) June 30, 2023

And among these top talents were NBA millionaires Jeff Van Gundy and Jalen Rose, along with Keyshawn Johnson, Max Kellerman, and others. All of these top analysts and commentators of the NFL and NBA have been cut according to the hopes of the channel saving millions of dollars and making more profit. It has been reported that these employees were informed about the cut through an internal website memo, although the document did not provide exact details of the layoff.

Amidst all the layoffs of such talents, one might wonder, how does the network plan on dealing with the aftermath of the layoffs? Are they planning on a $375 million Tom Brady-like coup by Fox in the coming days while eyeing Shannon Sharpe?

Is Shannon Sharpe following Pat McAfee’s footsteps?

Amidst all the layoffs, ESPN went on to acquire ex-NFL punter Pat McAfee on an $85 million five-year deal after he decided to walk out on his previous FanDuel contract. And with Sharpe also becoming available, one might wonder if ESPN will look to bring in the ex-Undisputed host to the network. McAfee also talked about how he hopes that Shannon Sharpe joins him on ESPN, as it is a “narrative shifter for a place.” There have already been rumors of Sharpe joining in to be with Stephen A. Smith on ‘First Take’. Smith also addressed these rumors of being joined by Sharpe, stating that he is “happy to be here for him” and would have no objections to him joining First Take. But the 55-year-old Sharpe is yet to make any official statement about his career ahead. 

Do you think Shannon Sharpe will follow in the footsteps of McAfee and join ESPN? Let us know in the comments below. 

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