College basketball reporter Andy Katz was a casualty of ESPN’s sweeping layoffs in 2017. It would have been easy for Katz to publicly share his displeasure with the development. However, Katz did the opposite.
He remained silent as many in the industry privately shared their support for the veteran reporter. But the former ESPN employee believes that lack of response to the situation is what led to him ultimately working for NCAA.com and the Big Ten Network.
“I was deeply hurt. I was not angry, I was hurt,” Katz told The Chicago Sun-Times. “I knew it was all financial, I knew I had done all this great work, I knew I was well-liked and well-used. So I didn’t take it personal like that. And I know this to be true: the way I reacted — not going on social media throwing flames, helped me get what I wanted.”
Katz added that while he still had two years remaining on his ESPN contract, he feels because he didn’t publicly trash the network, it allowed him to work out a deal with the NCAA and Big Ten Network to offset his severance pay.
He continued by saying he feels at home on the Big Ten Network.
“I love the family atmosphere. The people are great. They have taken care of me tremendously,” Katz continued. “I’m biased. I think we’re the best conference network. We’ve got great respect and credibility in the space, which I take a lot of comfort in.”
