Ever since Sports By Brooks reported last week that big changes were coming to ESPN’s NBA Countdown rumors about the job security of the show’s entire cast has swirled. Brooks Melchior reported that Michelle Beadle, Paul Pierce, and Chauncey Billups would not be returning next season. Despite an initial rebuff from ESPN, Andrew Marchand of the New York Post says Melchior’s report “looks as if it will be 2-for-3 with a chance to hit on all three.”
Marchand reports that Billups and Pierce are likely to be offered new contracts by ESPN, but will not be used for NBA Countdown. The question mark remains Michelle Beadle. As for Jalen Rose, Marchand reports that his status is also up in the air, but he remains the current NBA Countdown cast member most likely to survive the shake up.
The report suggests that Beadle is losing support behind the scenes in Bristol. “Her failure to promote the program on outside venues combined with her virtual no-show to the much-hyped morning show Get Up! has branded her a bad teammate and put her position in question.”
Beadle makes $5 million per year. Marchand suggests that the large paycheck maybe what saves Beadle’s job, as the network may not be willing to pay a buyout.
As for the future of NBA Countdown, ESPN will continue to look for ways to make the show stand out as special versus TNT’s Inside the NBA. Marchand notes that while the two shows have similar ratings, “but Barkley & company dominate on buzz.”
Plenty of internal candidates have emerged for the retooled NBA Countdown. Marchand reports that Jay Williams and Richard Jefferson have emerged as the most likely ex-players to join the show. Adrian Wojnarowski’s name has also been mentioned as a potential NBA Countdown regular.
