Raises and layoffs at ESPN

[Inky_Wretch]

Shot ...

ESPN Braces for More Layoffs

Chaser ...

ESPN, Pat McAfee negotiating new deal that could pay him over $60 million per year: Sources

 

[DanOregon]

I don't watch McAfee's shows, I think he's kind of fun on college football, but that's it. Does he bring different advertisers in than most ESPN programming does? Seems pretty clear he is bringing eyeballs that weren't there before he arrived. Maybe a younger demo that typically just watches clips on their phones.

 

[playthrough]

I think it's safe to say he's been a great pickup for ESPN. And he pays for his staff and his facility, which probably also makes it a good business deal for them too.

Of course I hate the optics of one guy gets massive raise while a bunch of folks lose their jobs but we all know how it goes.

 

[BYH 2: Electric Boogaloo]

$60M a year for Pat McAfee is a worse use of money than simply lighting it on fire.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

I think it's safe to say he's been a great pickup for ESPN. And he pays for his staff and his facility, which probably also makes it a good business deal for them too.

But will he generate an ROI at $60 million per year?

 

[playthrough]

But will he generate an ROI at $60 million per year?

Maybe? I gotta think he was a bargain at $17 million. He gets anyone he wants on his show and all the clips and nuggets from interviews feed all the feeds at ESPN. Perhaps someone has crunched the ROI.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

Maybe? I gotta think he was a bargain at $17 million. He gets anyone he wants on his show and all the clips and nuggets from interviews feed all the feeds at ESPN. Perhaps someone has crunched the ROI.

I think that $17m was closer to $30m with all his additional contracts for doing College GameDay and his special alt-casts of big games.

 

[waterytart]

I find McAfee unwatchable but, since I’m the inverse of the demo ESPN wants, he has a bright future.

 

[Severian]

ESPN: "We need to cut costs and layoff a bunch of people to keep up with competition."

Also ESPN: "Oh, hello, Pat! Here's $600 million we had just lying around if you would please, please, please sign this 10-year contract with us. No rush! No pressure! We'll be here waiting for you! "

 

[dixiehack]

Rainmakers have always gotten fat contracts even while the rest of the operation shrinks. That’s true in every field, not just television.

I just appreciate the fact that I have back-doored my way into being a hipster because the mass appeal of Pat McAfee is utterly outside my universe.

 

[LanceyHoward]

Shot ...

ESPN Braces for More Layoffs

Chaser ...

ESPN, Pat McAfee negotiating new deal that could pay him over $60 million per year: Sources

I wonder who ESPN was bidding against. The other sports cable networks have seemed to be lowering their profile and I don't think were going to get in a bidding war.

 

[Severian]

I wonder who ESPN was bidding against. The other sports cable networks have seemed to be lowering their profile and I don't think were going to get in a bidding war.

My money is on Netflix, Spotify, or Sirius.

 

[Inky_Wretch]

 

[DanOregon]

Solid pro. I find it so weird that ESPN abandoned the LA version, and now they're opening up studios at SOFI as part of the NFL Network deal. It might have been as simple as not wanting to renew the LA Live lease, but I thought the West Coast version was pretty decent.

 

[playthrough]

ESPN announced "retirement" while Cohn said (I forget where) that "her story isn't done being written."

 

[Sam Mills 51]

ESPN announced "retirement" while Cohn said (I forget where) that "her story isn't done being written."

If correct, that interprets to "My contract isn't being renewed" and/or "I'm being pushed."

Stinks either way. Linda Cohn - like all of us - deserves better.

 

[wicked]

He gets anyone he wants on his show

Because he pays them.

 

[playthrough]

Because he pays them.

Not all of them. A lot of handlers know it's good for their athletes' brands ( ) to go chop it up with McAfee.

 

[Jesus_Muscatel]

If correct, that interprets to "My contract isn't being renewed" and/or "I'm being pushed."

Stinks either way. Linda Cohn - like all of us - deserves better.

Met Linda once, in the Louisiana Superdome, in the late '90s. During 'Duh Coach' and his three years of losing.

She just wanted to see a game in the Dome. Introduced myself, at the end of halftime, and she was very cordial.

Wish her the best. Class act.

 

[HanSenSE]

Also leaving the payroll after 16 years, Dave Flemming. Heard on college football and hoops, baseball, an occasional NBA game and golf. He keeps his gigs with the Giants and NBCSN Sunday morning baseball.