ESPN to lay off 150 people

Scott Van Pelt is now really looking like the "all is well" guy from Animal House.

Also, this is their own doing. Not just the political stuff, but their ridiculous need to create controversy for everything. We don't need "two sides to every story". People will argue about sports without ESPN forcing it. By constantly throwing a Steven A or Skip Bayless into every conversation, they exhaust every possible angle of discussion, causing people to talk less about sports. Because, any time you try and bring up any sort of "hot take", someone's like "oh, yeah... I heard _______ on ESPN say that last night."

It's become a real life "Simpsons did it!".

I have to add that their Sunday\Monday Countdown crew now stinks.  Yes, I know many like Randy Moss, but it just seems silly and not very insightful.  At least with Keyshawn, Chris, Tom, Ditka and Boomer the Come On Man's were funny.  Now they are sad and not really all that entertaining.  I used to watch the old crew every Sunday, now I am switching to NFL Network or Fox for a more insightful pre-game show.

They were bloated with salaries and number of on-air employees. Hate to see anyone lose their job, however. The issue is people just aren't watching TV or listening to the radio like they used to. They get their information from social media and online websites. The dramatic and bombastic aspects of these shows where every person is yelling or talking over each other is so stupid. Its garbage. The takes are contrarian on purpose, where they want outrageous opinions. 

@"Max" said:

Kevin Bacon

Scott Van Pelt is now really looking like the "all is well" guy from Animal House.

I have not watched an ESPN sports update show in years and years. For NFL i go to the NFL Network, Baseball the MLB Network, For Basketball - the NBA network. Also have my local sports shows.

So that being said, I think that ESPN has really been screwed by all the specific sports having their own networks channels.

@"NorthernCalVike" said: I have not watched an ESPN sports update show in years and years. For NFL i go to the NFL Network, Baseball the MLB Network, For Basketball - the NBA network. Also have my local sports shows.

So that being said, I think that ESPN has really been screwed by all the specific sports having their own networks channels.

That may be true.  And there might be a myriad of other factors all coming together to force this decision.  But, for me, I stopped watching ESPN (in general) when they slobbered all over themselves to promote their social justice agenda, starting with (at least that's when I noticed it) the DE from Mizzou.  Firing Rush was a clue... but not a dead giveaway like what they've done in the past 5 years (or so).  

ESPN sucks, the only thing I can stomach is when they actually televise games and then I usually have the tv muted

^^^What he said...

Last one out the door, please turn off the lights... ;-D

ESPN is pushing the coastal liberal elite message at every turn.  Mid America wants sports and votes red so ESPN will lose viewers like me who just want to see football and escape all this divisive crap.  

It kind of has become about WHO is bringing the information. The shows arent about the sports, they're about the people who talk about them. Its not about who has the smartest insight, but the most charisma and entertainment value.

The last few times I turned on eSPN, it was just people yelling at each other...

One person who I'd like to see get a bigger role at ESPN is Booger McFarland.  He's GREAT talking college football...  THAT is the type of sports analyst they should be promoting IMO.

@"Wetlander" said: One person who I'd like to see get a bigger role at ESPN is Booger McFarland.  He's GREAT talking college football...  THAT is the type of sports analyst they should be promoting IMO.