Suzy Kolber Speaks on ESPN Layoff and Career Reflections

In June 2023, ESPN laid off 20 of its talents, including Suzy Kolber, Steve Young, Max Kellerman, and Jalen Rose. Suzy Kolber, who was hosting the network’s “Monday Night Countdown” pregame show, opened up about her firing during a conversation on the “Sports Media with Richard Deitsch” podcast.

Kolber shared that ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro told her, “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.” This left Kolber unsure of her position at ESPN, which she later discussed with her daughter. “I remember that day sitting next to my daughter in the kitchen,” Kolber said. “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.'”

The week following the layoff, Kolber received a call from then-ESPN executive Norby Williamson who told her not to say “anything disparaging about the company or we can take the last year of your contract.” Kolber, having agreed to a pay cut before the layoff, admitted “I did think the 39% cut was going to get me to the end [of my career].”

Despite the emotional impact of her layoff, Kolber’s comments about her departure have been viewed by some as entitled. Non-disparagement provisions are standard in contracts, and Kolber’s situation was not unique among laid-off talents.

Kolber worked with ESPN for 27 years and expressed disappointment over the lack of acknowledgment for her contributions. “I just thought after 27 years of, I was the first person hired for the launch of ESPN 2. I was the first person assigned to the X Games,” she said. “You’re not going to say a word? Not thanks for 27 years, just acknowledge it?”

Her firing seemed to be primarily driven by financial numbers. With Scott Van Pelt replacing Kolber on “Countdown,” ESPN needed to shed talent salary. Van Pelt, a favorite for the position, is set to host the first-ever Super Bowl broadcast by ESPN this fall.

Despite losing her role, Kolber was acknowledged as a capable host, and there was no issue with her talent or production. Burke Magnus, an ESPN executive known for rehiring previous anchors, might have considered bringing Kolber back.

Kolber has since focused on producing a new interview series called “The Originals” on the Scripps Sports Network, with the first episode airing on September 15.