ESPN Has First Mass Layoffs In Four Years, Though Specific Number Is Unknown

ESPN confirmed that it will be laying off an undetermined number of its employees today, the first time in four years that the company will have had mass layoffs. As part of the layoffs, many open positions will not be filled. The affected employees will have severance packages that vary depending on length of service. ESPN said in a statement, "We are implementing changes across the company to enhance our continued growth while smartly managing costs. While difficult, we are confident that it will make us more competitive, innovative and productive" (John Ourand, Staff Writer). DEADSPIN's Josh Koblin cites a source as saying that the layoffs "would be more than 400 staffers." An ESPN source said that the figure is "a little high, but it appears to be in the hundreds." Koblin notes the technology group "is getting hit pretty hard: at least 40 layoffs are coming there." ESPN "has 7,000 employees." Parent company Disney is apparently "asking all divisions to cut costs" (DEADSPIN.com, 5/21).