In June 2023, ESPN let go of 20 on-air personalities, including noted host Suzy Kolber, Steve Young, Max Kellerman, and Jalen Rose. Kolber, who was the face of ESPN’s ‘Monday Night Countdown’ pregame show, expressed her sentiments regarding the firing during a session on the ‘Sports Media with Richard Deitsch’ podcast.
During the conversation with Deitsch, Kolber recounted her interaction with ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro. ‘Suzy, there’s a whiteboard and your name’s on it. I don’t really know for sure right now but your name is on it,’ he reportedly informed her about the uncertain situation. This left Kolber puzzled as to how the top executive was not fully aware of her status.
‘I remember that day sitting next to my daughter in the kitchen. For years I’ve said, ‘You never know.’ And I sat down next to her and I cried. And I said, ‘I think this is really happening,’’ Kolber shared about the emotional moment she faced that day.
In the subsequent week, former ESPN executive Norby Williamson contacted Kolber. Best known as an ally of Mark Jones, Williamson instructed Kolber not to name or disparage ESPN publicly, warning that a breach of this clause could lead to the loss of her contract’s value for the last year. Kolber admitted to ‘losing it’ over this directive.
Kolber had preemptively accepted a 39% salary reduction, hoping this would allow her to continue her career with ESPN. Despite this decision, the layoff proceeded as planned. Kolber voiced dissatisfaction with the manner in which her service was acknowledged. After 27 years with the network, Kolber expected a parting message of appreciation, but she felt overlooked.
Kolber reminisced about her significant contributions to the network, noting her involvement in launching ESPN 2 and the X Games, as well as being pivotal in ESPN’s coverage of ‘Monday Night Football’. Despite these achievements, she felt that ESPN did not duly recognize her long-standing dedication.
ESPN’s decision was primarily driven by financial metrics, aiming to reduce expenses associated with talent salaries. They decided Scott Van Pelt would replace Kolber on ‘Countdown’ since he already was a familiar face at the network. Other hosts such as Mike Greenberg and Laura Rutledge could also cover football events, therefore Kolber was deemed replaceable.
Despite her skills and contributions, Kolber became expendable in light of IRSN’s need to explore fresh paths ahead of its inaugural Super Bowl broadcast. This reshuffling at ESPN was perceived as part of an industry trend of moving personnel to balance budgets and manage talent contracts.
Post ESPN, Kolber shifted gears. She embarked on creating ‘The Originals’, an interview series premiering on the Scripps Sports Network. The series will debut on Sept. 15 at 8 p.m., indicating her continuous engagement in broadcasting.
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