SI.com's Richard Deitsch cited sources as saying that ESPN management "expects to finish most of its job cuts prior to the company's upfront presentation for media buyers on May 16 and possibly by May 9, the date of Disney's second quarter earnings call." Multiple sources said that ESPN had been "tasked with paring tens of millions of staff salary from its payroll, including staffers many viewers and readers will recognize." Author Jim Miller said that he "believed the number of staffers impacted would be between 40 and 50." Those with contracts coming up would be "particularly vulnerable" (SI.com, 4/16).
MAKING A RETURN: SPORTING NEWS' Michael McCarthy reported ESPN is "poised to announce" Sage Steele is "returning to Bristol in a morning anchor role." Sources said that Steele could "join Mike Greenberg on his new solo morning show that will air on ESPN." McCarthy noted Steele also could "slide into a morning 'SportsCenter' anchor slot on whatever programming replaces the current 'Mike & Mike in the Morning' on ESPN2." "Mike & Mike" will "likely morph into a radio-only show" with Trey Wingo teaming up with Mike Golic (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 4/16).
WELCOME TO THE REAL WORLD: Kaylee Hartung officially has joined CNN as a news reported based in Atlanta. She will report for all of CNN’s television and digital platforms. Hartung had been with ESPN for five years, hosting and reporting for SEC Network and Longhorn Network. The Big Lead last month first reported Hartung was joining CNN (THE DAILY).
