After being with ESPN Radio for almost 21 years, Kevin Winter announced via social media he was recently let go by the company. Winter started with ESPN in 2004 as an ESPN Radio SportsCenter anchor and was a studio host for MLB, NBA, NFL, college football and college basketball. He also called college football play-by-play for ESPN Radio.
From 2005-09, Winter was a host on 890 ESPN Radio in Boston, MA. He was also a writer and editor at SportsTicker for nine years and the host of Sports Pulse on CN8 for four years.
Winter wrote the following on his Facebook account:
“I buried 2 parents before I turned 40 years old yet what happened a week and a half ago was harder for me to deal with,” he started the post. “Kentucky Derby day 2004. That was the day of my first solo shift at ESPN Radio. And after almost 21 years I was told it was over.
“I have been informed due to ‘cost cutting’ my contract was not being renewed. I’ll let you all discuss the idea of a multibillion-dollar corporation needed to cut my small 6 figure salary in order to keep the lights on. There are a few reasons I’m just now getting around to posting this.
1) I would have said some really mean things about people.
2) most of you would have asked how I was doing when the answer was unquestionably not good.
A play-by-play announcer I have worked with for a long time says I’m the best at what I do…in the country. Well, if that’s the case the number 1 studio host in the country is a free agent! Been a hell of a ride at ESPN and the friendships I have made will last a lifetime. At 47 years old, a new chapter awaits.”
Winter graduated from Hofstra University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast journalism.
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