With its massive layoffs still resonating throughout the sports media industry, ESPN has reached extensions with a handful of broadcasters. In related news, ESPN has laid off yet another SportsCenter anchor and hired a new SportsCenter reporter.
ESPN Extends Several
- ESPN this week has reached multi-year contract extensions with NBA analyst Mark Jackson, NBA and college football broadcaster Cassidy Hubbarth, soccer analyst Julie Foudy and SEC Network host Dari Nowkhah, in addition to the previously reported extension of reporter Don Van Natta. Jackson has been with ESPN since 2014 (after two previous stints with the company), Hubbarth since 2010, Foudy since 2005 and Nowkhah since 2004. The moves have come amidst ESPN’s massive layoffs of talent. (ESPN Media Zone 5.2, 5.4a, 5.4b, ESPN Front Row 5.3)
Walsh Latest Casualty of ESPN Layoffs
- ESPN SportsCenter anchor Sara Walsh, who was planning to return from maternity leave today, said on her Twitter feed that she has been laid off. Walsh had been with ESPN since 2010. She is the fifth SportsCenter anchor to lose her job in the cuts, joining Jay Crawford, Jaymee Sire, Jade McCarthy and Chris Hassel. (Sara Walsh/Twitter 5.4)
ESPN Hires Reporter
- ESPN announced Thursday that it has hired WTVJ-NBC (Ft. Lauderdale) reporter Stefano Fusaro to serve in the same capacity on SportsCenter. Fusaro will be based out of Dallas and make his ESPN debut reporting from the Spurs-Rockets NBA playoff series this weekend. He previously worked for Univision. (ESPN Media Zone 5.4)
