Ed Werder has been re-hired by ESPN as a "Dallas bureau reporter effective immediately," after he was "laid off by the network in their massive layoffs" in '17, according to Peter King of NBCSPORTS.com. It is "believed" that Werder is the first employee laid off in '17 to be re-hired to a "full-time position since." The "difference, most likely: Werder and his peers were let go in the John Skipper regime, and Werder was able to build a bridge to return with the new boss," ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro. Werder, an NFL reporter in his previous stint at the net, may "cover more sports than football, and teams other than the Cowboys, the organization he regularly broke news on during his years" with ESPN (NBCSPORTS.com, 8/12). Werder made his first appearance back on the net at the top of the 12:00pm ET edition of "SportsCenter," with host Hannah Storm introducing him by saying, "With more from Oxnard, I am very pleased to be the first one to reintroduce our good friend Ed Werder, back at ESPN. All is right with the world. Welcome back, Ed.” Werder responded, “Who would have guessed I would be reporting live from Cowboys training camp before Zeke Elliott reports to Cowboys training camp? Both probably unfortunate developments for Jerry Jones” (“SportsCenter,” ESPN, 8/12).
TWITTER REAX: The Big Lead's Ryan Glasspiegel tweeted, "Roger Goodell was upset with ESPN for laying off Ed Werder; his re-hiring is another step in the network wanting to be in the best graces possible with The Shield." NBC's Andrea Kremer tweeted she is "thrilled" that ESPN "did the smart thing and brought back" Werder. The veteran reporter "makes the profession of journalism better and is going to kick butt" covering the Cowboys and NFL. Tampa Bay Times' Rick Stroud: "Journalism still matters. And a 59-year old pro has a lot more to offer! Congrats Ed!" Niners Wire's Kyle Madson: "Seeing Ed Werder reporting on football again is gonna be good." Freelance sports talk host Will Palaszczuk: "The four best words heard on ESPN ... 'Ed Werder has more'" (TWITTER.com, 8/12).
