Almost a month ago, a massive employee purge of around 100 ESPN employees took place. Between April 24 and 28 the worldwide leader in sports fired many notable reporters, anchors and personalities. In addition to these firings, ESPN also announced that Hannah Storm, Karl Ravech and Ryan Russillo would all see their roles 'significantly reduced' at the network.
Now, more change is coming to ESPN, as it was officially announced that long-running radio show "Mike & Mike" would be ending. Plus, NBA sscoop masterAdrian Wojnarowski is coming to replace their entire basketball department.
"Mike & Mike" is out
Long running ESPN morning radio show "Mike & Mike"' has been on the air since it debuted on ESPN Radio on January 3, 2000. The show has been hosted by former NFL player Mike Golic and sports host and anchor Mike Greenberg. However, it was announced yesterday that the show would be replaced at some point later this year. This confirmed long-running rumors about the fate of the show and Mike Greenberg's new job.
"Mike & Mike" will be replaced by a new morning drive show hosted by Mike Golic and long time ESPN football host Trey Wingo. This new radio show will air from 6-10 am and will also be simulcast on ESPN2 at first, before moving to ESPNU. The two will also be joined for the first hour every morning by Golic's son, former NFL player Mike Golic Jr.
Starting on January 1, 2018 Mike Greenberg will become the host of a new morning show that will air from 7-10 am and take the spot currently occupied by "SportsCenter." According to ESPN, Greenberg's show will also feature several other full-time co-hosts, guests and contributors.
Golic and Greenberg made the announcement yesterday on their show.
Greeny & Golic address the future of Mike & Mike pic.twitter.com/86JfHwBS2C
— Mike & Mike (@MikeAndMike) May 17, 2017
Adrian Wojnarowski is in
During the employee purge by ESPN they let go six NBA reporters. The NBA reporters that got let were Calvin Watkins, Chad Ford, Ethan Sherwood Strauss, Henry Abbot, Justin Verrier and Marc Stein.
Coincidentally, it has been speculated for months that ESPN was pursuing Yahoo's Adrian Wojnarowski. This was finally confirmed earlier this month, with him joining in July after the NBA Draft.
ESPN paid $1.4 billion to broadcast the NBA this season, making it their second-most important sport, only behind the NFL. Many reporters in the sports world fully expect Wojnarowski to bring many of his staffers from "The Vertical." There is also speculation ESPN may just buy "The Vertical" outright, but neither ESPN nor Yahoo have commented on this.
