The Jets-to-ESPN pipeline continues unabated. In other news, ESPN’s Doris Burke is cutting the Women’s NCAA Tournament from her schedule, and ESPN’s looming layoffs are expected to impact upwards of 50 employees.
ESPN Hires Former Jets Coach, Again
- ESPN has officially announced the hiring of former NFL coach Rex Ryan as an analyst for Sunday NFL Countdown, news originally reported by the New York Daily News last month (and speculated by many for years). Ryan, a media favorite during his time coaching the New York Jets, will also contribute to SportsCenter, ESPN Radio and presumably many other ESPN platforms. He will make his debut this weekend, not on the NFL but on the Florida State spring football game. Not including current coach Todd Bowles, five of the last six Jets coaches — Ryan, Eric Mangini, Herm Edwards, Al Groh and Bill Parcells — have ended up at ESPN. Bill Belichick is the only exception. (ESPN Media Zone 4.3)
No More Women’s NCAA For Burke
- ESPN basketball analyst Doris Burke will no longer call women’s college basketball games for the network, a decision necessitated by her increased roles on men’s college and NBA games, she announced via ESPN’s corporate blog Monday. Burke, now in her 26th year with ESPN, had worked the event in various capacities since 2001. (ESPN Front Row 4.3)
ESPN’s Layoffs to Impact 40-50 Employees, Per Author
- ESPN’s coming layoffs are likely to affect “between 40 and 50 people,” author of ESPN book Those Guys Have All the Fun Jim Miller told Sports Illustrated last week. However, there is “a lot of uncertainty” about who will be affected and why. SI reported last month that ESPN is planning to cut tens of millions in talent salary by June. (Awful Announcing 3.30)
