ESPN’s layoffs have claimed another prominent name. In other news, Kenny Mayne is returning to the 11 PM ET SportsCenter next week, and a longtime White Sox broadcaster is headed for retirement.
Clayton Latest Big Name in Layoffs
- ESPN NFL reporter John Clayton said on his Twitter feed Wednesday that he has been laid off from the company, ending his 22 year tenure. Clayton was a regular presence on SportsCenter for many years, appearing in segments “Inside the Huddle” and “Four Downs” (a proto-First Take opposite Sean Salisbury) throughout the 2000s, and more recently was the focus of a “This is SportsCenter” commercial. He is just the latest prominent, well-respected reporter caught up in the layoffs, joining the likes of Ed Werder, Jayson Stark and Marc Stein on the unemployment line. [John Clayton/Twitter 5.31]
Mayne Returning to 11 PM ET SportsCenter
- ESPN SportsCenter anchor Kenny Mayne will begin co-hosting the 11 PM ET edition of the show starting Monday, his first time doing so since 2008. ESPN originally announced the news during its upfronts two weeks ago. He will work Monday-Thurdsay next week alongside John Anderson or Kevin Connors. Mayne had been serving as an occasional anchor on the 1 AM ET edition, based in Los Angeles. [ESPN Media Zone 5.15, 5.31]
Longtime White Sox Voice to Retire
- Longtime Chicago White Sox broadcaster Ken Harrelson will retire from broadcasting after next season, he announced Wednesday. Harrelson is in his 32nd season working White Sox games, having returned to the team in 1990. He will work a reduced 20-game schedule next season, primarily consisting of Sunday home games. [ESPN.com 5.31]
