Author James Andrew Miller on the "SI Media Podcast" on Wednesday discussed the recent management changes at ESPN. Miller said the moves were "significant" since this is the first time in ESPN President John Skipper's five-year tenure that the company has a "working architecture that matches Skipper’s sensibilities and his strengths and his weaknesses." Miller said Skipper is "letting go more than he ever has in the content world and he’s made a decision which no one can accuse him of rushing" with the promotion of Connor Schell to Exec VP/Content. Miller said the structure Skipper has put in place is a “really interesting way to look and see how modern media is being managed, because you these silos and the way that he has divided the responsibilities are a function of not only what he considers to be the strengths and weaknesses of these people, but also about the duties in this media world." Miller noted this new alignment "almost guarantees (Skipper) another contract." Miller also noted “everything that goes on right now at ESPN is about ... Wall Street." Miller: "It is about this Disney stock price. They don’t really care about anything we're talking about right now in terms of inside dynamics."
NO REST AT THE START: Miller said Schell will have a "formidable challenge" with the launch of Mike Greenberg's new ESPN morning show. Miller: "This is a high-priced piece of talent, this is a key day part, this is three hours ... and there’s no place to hide.” Miller said of possible "SportsCenter" changes, "I don't think anyone's satisfied with the way it is right now. ... But somebody’s got to have a vision, and that's what Connor’s supposed to do." Miller said of internal discussion about the management shake-up, "It’s emblematic of what happens inside a dynamic media company today, because things are changing so fast." Miller noted there are more layoffs coming at ESPN, but the "nature of them" remains to be seen. Miller: "What is going to make this organization the most efficient and what is Disney willing to do financially? The next two years at ESPN are going to determine the next 8 or 10. That’s how critical this is" ("SI Media Podcast," SI.com, 6/28).
TOO MANY COOKS IN THE KITCHEN? In Boston, Chad Finn writes it "will be fascinating to see" whether NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, who officially begins at ESPN on Saturday, can "get the entire band from The Vertical back together under their umbrella" (BOSTON GLOBE, 6/30). SI.com's Richard Deitsch wrote what is "befuddling" about the Wojnarowski hire is ESPN already has a "world class NBA news-breaker in Marc Stein and given the loyalty he showed the company and the quality of his work, how do you not figure out a way to make it work with him heading forward?" He has a "guaranteed contract with a couple of years remaining, and ESPN will be paying him not to work" (SI.com, 6/29).
CAREER REBOOT: In DC, Kelyn Soong noted an unexpected layoff from ESPN in April has given former anchor Prim Siripipat the chance to "go all-in on professional tennis 15 years after competing in her last pro tournament." Siripipat is filming the journey for an upcoming documentary titled "Second Life." Originally "slated to finish in June, Siripipat plans to continue competing at least throughout the rest of the year before reassessing." So far, Siripipat has "yet to pick up a victory at the pro level, losing in the first round of qualifiers" at a pair of ITF events (WASHINGTON POST, 6/29).
AROUND BRISTOL: SI.com's Deitsch in his mailbag wrote he "cannot see" Bill Simmons ever returning to ESPN "as a contracted employee." Simmons would "see it has a major step backward." However, the idea of Simmons "making one-off appearances on an ESPN property isn’t impossible." Deitsch also wrote ESPN execs "had no idea" the "level of animus" Jemele Hill and Michael Smith were going to face on social media once they took over the 6:00pm ET edition of "SportsCenter" (SI.com, 6/29).
