Massive Layoffs Expected at ESPN and Disney in April.

ESPN is set to undergo a major round of layoffs, with no one being considered safe, including top on-air talent and executives. The cuts are part of a larger effort by parent company Disney to eliminate 7,000 jobs across all units. ESPN is pursuing Pat McAfee, but is also negotiating with college football national championship game-caller Chris Fowler. ESPN is still a money cow for Disney, with 74 million homes paying around $10 per month, and ESPN+ having 24.9 million subscribers. The company is expected to go direct-to-consumer in the next few years. ESPN has undergone layoffs in the past, including in 2015 and 2017, and is expected to finalize the current round of cuts in the next four-to-six weeks.