Wide World of Women

Similar to what we see in the days following the last NFL preseason games, we have been down this road before.

2015--over 350 people saw their jobs axed, as viewers heard a very classy statement made by Suzy Kolber at end of the former NFL Insiders show:
https://awfulannouncing.com/2015/suzy-kolber-pays-tribute-to-the-men-and-women-laid-off-from-espn.html

2017--upwards of 100 people in front of the camera plus hundreds more behind the scenes. A handful of reporters would wind up at The Athletic:
https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/confirmed-espn-layoffs-constantly-updated.html

And it prompted the website Awful Announcing to create a Layoff Survival Guide at the start of 2018:
https://awfulannouncing.com/orig/2018-s ... guide.html


Looking back at that, those statements are oh so true.

More of the same statements came from so many familiar names both past and present today:
https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/stunning-layoffs-sports-media-reacts.html

We know one thing is for sure, expect a bunch of the personalities who were laid off on Friday to maybe appear on a few podcasts in the coming weeks--namely the Sports Media Podcast with Richard Deitsch (where he had an excellent interview with Kenny Mayne shortly after he was let go in 2021).

Another podcast to check out is the Last Word on Sports Media podcast with T.J. Rives--who ironically enough, "Around the Horn" panelist and NBA PBP'er/sideline reporter Jorge Sedano was a guest on the Announcer Schedules feed with Mike Gill and Phil de Montmollin talking about his career and how he got to ESPN from first Miami and later in Los Angeles.

Shows how cutthroat the world of working in media, especially in sports media can be so unforgiving sometimes--even if you are doing your best work. But it is true, life isn't always fair. And that is the hardest thing to swallow.

Sure hope everyone has a safety net. We know that Suzy Kolber has something in mind already.

Jay Williams, one third of the former Keyshawn, J-Will, and Max morning show on ESPN Radio basically said "It sucks" and offered many shout-outs along the way:

https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/jay-williams-max-kellerman-keyshawn-johnson.html

Also speaking out for the first time on Wednesday was Jason Fitz, who was several co-hosts in the drive time slot--but he completely understands why it happened and hopes to have a future career in the hopes "to land somewhere."

https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/jason-fitz-laid-off-radio-thankful-didnt-see-coming.html

SEC Network host Paul Finebaum was on the Marchand and Ourand weekly podcast and described how tough last Friday was, and he was also worried if his job was in jeopardy--as I am sure we can all imagine since this will be remembered as one of the darkest day in the 40 plus history of The Worldwide Leader.

The link to the entire podcast can be found at the link below:

https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/paul-finebaum-recent-layoffs-worst-day.html