ESPN part ways with ‘NBA Countdown’ analyst Jalen Rose: Report
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ESPN has parted ways with Jalen Rose, an analyst on the network’s “NBA Countdown” pregame show, according to a report.
Rose was part of the “Countdown” crew that included Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon and host Mike Greenberg. Rose, 50, had been with the network for 10 years.
The network also laid off host Max Kellerman and NFL analyst Keyshawn Johnson.
The announcement of the network letting go of Rose comes on the heels of news that NBA game analyst Jeff Van Gundy was also jettisoned by ESPN.
The departures of Rose and Van Gundy are part of a decision by ESPN to part ways with around 20 on-air personalities as part of mandated cutbacks by Disney, ESPN’s parent company. The layoffs mark the third round of reductions at ESPN this year. The cuts are part of a system-wide effort to scale back costs at Disney. Disney plans to cut or not fill 7,000 jobs at the company.