ESPN trimmed more jobs this week. Jemele Hill says the cuts confirm a deeper shift in how networks and sports broadcasters are choosing influence and attention over journalism.
What We Know: ESPN’s latest round of layoffs hit on-air talent and support staff alike. The cuts follow the network’s continued integration of NFL Network assets. Hill left ESPN in 2018 after a 12-year run, departing amid friction over her social media commentary. She now hosts the sports-and-politics podcast Spolitics, where she often critiques the industry she once covered. Following the layoffs from ESPN this week, Hill says she no longer knows how to advise young journalists to a path that could have them arrive at ESPN.
What They Said: (All quotes via SPOLITICS)
Jemele Hill believes ESPN is no longer a destination for journalists: “I’m sure there’s a lot of younger journalists that are watching these layoffs at ESPN because for a lot of them, ESPN is the poster on the wall. That’s the place they all want to work. I don’t even know what to tell them now in terms of how they get to a place like ESPN because the model is very different. I don’t know what to tell you, especially how to get to ESPN if you’re not a former athlete, because that lane has shrunk considerably.”
Jemele Hill on her fears that journalism will lose out to influencers in sports media: “The journalist itself is being sort of phased out in sports broadcasting. I don’t say this because I have a problem with influencers, but there’s a lot of media outlets and companies that are choosing to go the influencer route rather than the journalism route. It’s sad. There’s no question now that the popularity matters to people more than the journalism part. My fear is that we’re going to lose the journalism part.”
Jemele Hill on why Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith earn so much from ESPN: “People hate watch them, but they’re still watching them. They can carry and create large audiences. That’s why they’re getting paid the money that they are. So, in an attention economy, what matters is who can draw the attention. Sometimes it doesn’t matter often whether it’s good attention or bad attention. If you can captivate audience, that is what your biggest selling point will be.”
What Remains Unclear: ESPN has not detailed the full scope of the network’s reduction in force. The cuts were part of a wider shift by The Walt Disney Company.
What It Means For aspiring sports journalists, the traditional route into ESPN keeps narrowing. Hill’s remarks suggest attention-driving personalities, not traditional reporters, now hold more leverage. That shift could reshape how sports news gets covered for years to come. Hill isn’t incorrect in her remarks stating that the value of journalism is declining, despite more opportunities for voices than ever before with digital media.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.