Audio appears to be on the chopping block as ESPN continues its first round of layoffs. Pete Gianesini announced via Facebook that his time in Bristol is coming to an end.
Gianesini had been with ESPN Audio for more than 25 years. During that time, he had leadership roles overseeing both podcasting and radio at various points. His most recent position was Senior Director of Digital Audio Programming.
While this is surely a tough time for Gianesini and his friends within the company, he kept his message positive as he prepares to exit thanking a number of people including his bosses and colleagues. He noted that “it has been an honor to have your partnership and earn your friendship.”
Also losing their position was Scott McCarthy. McCarthy joined ESPN in 2011, initially as the VP/General Manager of ESPN Los Angeles. In 2020, he was upped to VP of ESPN Audio, where he oversaw both national radio and podcasting strategies.
Local radio is not immune from the layoffs either. Michael Kay announced on his radio program that Ryan Hurley has been let go as program director at 98.7 ESPN New York.
Hurley’s involvement with ESPN Radio in the Big Apple predates the station making the move to FM. He started at what was then 1050 ESPN in 2004 as part of the promotions and marketing team.
Amanda Brown has also departed after working for ESPN Radio stations since 2002. She began her career in Dallas before moving to Bristol to work as a national producer. She has been at 710 ESPN LA since 2010, first as a producer before eventually ascending to the station’s Program Director in 2019.
Additionally, ESPN Audio has eliminated its entire national sales team, and digital program director and former ESPN Radio nights and weekends programmer Louise Cornetta. Cornetta had spent 26 years working for the network.
The Walt Disney Company is looking to eliminate 7,000 jobs in total. Layoffs will occur in three rounds and are expected to affect all aspects of the company.
This is the first round of layoffs to hit ESPN. It has been previously reported that the early layoffs are not likely to include any on-air talent.
