All of NBC's on-air sports talent agreed to voluntary pay cuts as the network grapples with figuring out how to move forward with no sports and a tight ad sales marketplace. The salary cuts are described as temporary and in the 5-10% range, sources said. Every one of NBC's on-air personalities agreed to the cuts, which will be in effect until the end of the year, sources said. NBCUniversal senior management last week took 20% pay cuts and employees making more than $100,000 per year saw their salaries cut by 3%. NBC Sports Group President Pete Bevacqua said, "Our on-air personalities reached out to see how they could contribute to helping our company during this difficult time, and all have voluntarily accepted temporary pay reductions." The moves come nearly a month after ESPN asked its 100 highest-paid commentators to take a voluntary 15% pay cut over the ensuing three months. Three weeks ago, Fox asked many of its top paid talent to take temporary 15% pay cuts that also run for three months, through July. CBS is the only broadcaster who has yet to cut salaries of its on-air talent. One source estimated that 90% of the on-air sports talent have agreed to pay cuts when asked.
