ESPN Fires 5 Execs in Massive Shakeup Ahead of Football Season

ESPN went through some big changes at the executive level on Monday morning, including five big firings.

The Worldwide Leader in Sports has reorganized much of its executive level, announcing the changes under Burke Magnus on Monday.

ESPN announced that the changes will allow the company to be “more strategic, collaborative and nimble, as we continue to excel in every area and function. We remain committed to employee development, and the restructure will result in new positions or promotions for people who are expanding their responsibilities or taking on new challenges.”

The Hollywood Reporter had more:

At the top of the new structure will be Mike McQuade, a 37-year ESPN veteran who has been named executive VP of sports production, overseeing production and studio shows dedicated to specific sports; and David Roberts will be executive VP and executive editor of sports news and entertainment, which will include oversight of ESPN’s news operation, as well as non-sport specific programming like First Take, SportsCenter and The Pat McAfee Show.

Magnus wrote that going forward his direct reports will be Roberts, McQuade, Kaitee Daley, Freddy Rolón, Brian Lockhart, Chris Calcinari and Nick Parsons. He added that with the new structure, there will be layoffs, though he added that it will also create new opportunities for staff.

As part of the changes, ESPN fired five top executives on Monday, per Andrew Marchand.

Magnus knows that change can be difficult.

“I understand how difficult change and shifts can be,” he wrote. “With this reorganization, we have set up the Content organization to best operate now and in the future, while creating opportunities for colleagues across the organization to grow and thrive. We will continue to tweak the structure to reflect the constant evolution of our business, and all of us should embrace change.”