Sources: Some ESPN Anchors Proactively Ask To Have Salaries Cut With Layoffs Looming

ESPN anchors fearing the loss of their jobs are "proactively asking management if they can cut their salaries," according to sources cited by Michael McCarthy of SPORTING NEWS. It is "worth a shot, but it remains to be seen how successful this negotiating move will be." Yesterday ESPN Titans staff writer Paul Kuharsky "confirmed he'd been given his walking papers." Sources said that he could be the "first among 30 or so staff writers whose contracts won't be renewed." The cuts could "kick in before Disney's fiscal second quarter earnings call on May 9 and ESPN's glitzy upfront presentation to Madison Avenue ad buyers on May 16." ESPN is "making some of these employees an offer: They can accept 50 percent of the money remaining on their deals and walk away free as birds, or they can hold out for every penny owed, in which case they’ll probably [be] benched and rendered largely invisible on ESPN TV/radio/digital media platforms moving forward." Sources said that it is a "tough call for on-air talent used to guaranteed TV/Radio exposure and annual raises." One source added that their decisions "may depend on their age and experience" (SPORTINGNEWS.com, 4/25).

