Linda Cohn decries ESPN for ‘buffoonery’ in handling layoffs - Awful Announcing

What the report says

Awful Announcing reported that former ESPN anchor Linda Cohn criticized the network’s handling of its latest on-air layoffs, saying on her newly launched YouTube show that the cuts were made worse by what she described as poor communication from ESPN public relations. Cohn, who left ESPN last month after more than three decades and was the longest-serving SportsCenter anchor in the network’s history, said losing a job is difficult under any circumstance but argued the affected employees were not treated with respect.

The sharpest focus of Cohn’s comments was Ryan Clark, described by Awful Announcing as one of the most prominent personalities included in the layoffs. According to the article, ESPN learned that OutKick was preparing to report Clark’s pending departure while he was appearing on NFL Live on Monday afternoon. The network then informed him during a commercial break, reportedly to avoid him seeing the news on his phone while on air. Cohn said the situation could have been avoided by telling him earlier, including before the broadcast.

Cohn also said the attention on Clark’s situation overshadowed others affected, including Karl Ravech and David Lloyd. The article noted that Pat McAfee and Stephen A. Smith have drawn criticism from some observers because of their large contracts, but Cohn rejected the idea that they were to blame. She framed the layoffs as part of ESPN’s effort to manage costs while competing in a sports media environment shaped by expensive rights deals and high-profile talent spending.