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In yet another round of cost-cutting at a high-profile media company, ESPN laid off some of its biggest on-air stars Friday in an effort to slash tens of millions of dollars from its budget.
The New York Post first reported on Friday morning that NBA game analyst Jeff Van Gundy and NBA Countdown host Jalen Rose were among those who have been let go. Star commentators and hosts Max Kellerman and Keyshawn Johnson were soon added to the list.
Van Gundy, a former coach with the New York Knicks and Houston Rockets, had been with the network for 16 years and is considered one of the top in-game analysts in the business. He’d also recently called the NBA Finals with announcer Mike Breen and analyst Mark Jackson, both of whom are expected to remain with the Disney-owned channel.