FILE - This Aug. 13, 2020 file photo shows a logo for ESPN on a remote control, in Portland, Ore. The sports media giant announced Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2020, that it is cutting about 500 jobs from its global workforce and laying off approximately 300 employees. The company said the cuts are due in large part to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its business and the 'tremendous disruption in how fans consume sports.' (AP Photo/Jenny Kane, FIle)
The Associated Press
ESPN announced Thursday it is eliminating about 500 jobs worldwide, including about 300 through layoffs.
The cuts amount to about 10% of the employees at the sports network and are due largely to the impact of the pandemic on its business and the 'œtremendous disruption in how fans consume sports.'ť
'œIn the short term, we enacted various steps like executive and talent salary reductions, furloughs and budget cuts, and we implemented innovative operations and production approaches, all in an effort to weather the COVID storm,'ť Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN's chairman, wrote in an email to employees. 'œWe have, however, reached an inflection point.'ť
In addition to the layoffs, the company is planning to leave about 200 vacant positions unfilled.
ESPN did not say how many of the job cuts would come at its Bristol, Connecticut, campus, but said they would not be concentrated in any one area. On-air talent, the vast majority having personal contracts, is not expected to be heavily affected. But some of those contracts could be allowed to expire.
The company said it has more than 5,000 employees, including about 4,000 in Bristol.
The Disney subsidiary has recently been moving toward more direct-to-consumer offerings, including its ESPN+, a streaming service that has grown to about 8.5 million subscribers.
Pitaro said the discussions on how to reposition the company in a changing media landscape predate COVID-19, but said the pandemic had accelerated those discussions.
'œPlacing resources in support of our direct-to-consumer business strategy, digital, and, of course, continued innovative television experiences, is more critical than ever,'ť he wrote. 'œHowever, building a successful future in a changing world means facing hard choices. Making informed decisions about how and where we need to go '“ and, as always, in the most efficient way possible - is by far the most challenging job of any leadership team.'ť
The layoffs come three years after ESPN cut about 250 jobs, including journalists and on-air talent.
FILE - In this Oct. 26. 2019 file photo, Alabama head coach Nick Saban is interviewed on ESPN, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The sports media giant announced Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2020, that it is cutting about 500 jobs from its global workforce and laying off approximately 300 employees. The company said the cuts are due in large part to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its business and the 'tremendous disruption in how fans consume sports.' (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this July 26, 2020, file photo, a television camera is seen during an ESPN broadcast in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Bradenton, Fla. Sports media giant ESPN announced Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, that it is cutting about 500 jobs from its global workforce and laying off about 300 employees. The company said the cuts are due in large part to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its business and the 'tremendous disruption in how fans consume sports.' (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - ESPN headquarters is shown in Bristol, Connecticut, in this Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, file photo. Sports media giant ESPN announced Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, that it is cutting about 500 jobs from its global workforce and laying off about 300 employees. The company said the cuts are due in large part to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its business and the 'tremendous disruption in how fans consume sports.' (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - A sign marking the entrance to ESPN's Wide World of Sports at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., is seen in this Wednesday, June 3, 2020, file photo. Sports media giant ESPN announced Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, that it is cutting about 500 jobs from its global workforce and laying off about 300 employees. The company said the cuts are due in large part to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on its business and the 'tremendous disruption in how fans consume sports.' (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
The Associated Press