Suzy Kolber Details Emotional ESPN Exit and Launches New Interview Series

Key points

• Kolber was informed of her layoff by ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro, who told her her name was on a whiteboard, roughly a week before the official announcement in June 2023.
• The 2023 cuts affected approximately 20 on-air commentators, including Steve Young, Jeff Van Gundy, and Jalen Rose, as ESPN sought cost savings.
• Kolber accepted a 39% pay cut in her final contract to retain her role, citing her love for the work and desire to spend more time with her daughter.
• She is now the executive producer and host of 'The Originals,' a six-episode series on the Scripps Sports Network premiering on September 15 at 8 p.m. ET.
• The new series features interviews with figures such as Jesse Cole, Jon Gruden, and Hilary Knight, focusing on their career trajectories and personal lives.

Background

Kolber's departure was part of a significant restructuring at ESPN following the 2023 layoffs. More recently, in July 2026, ESPN conducted another round of layoffs tied to its acquisition of NFL Network, affecting personnel like Ryan Clark and Karl Ravech. Kolber's new venture with Scripps Sports Network represents a shift toward independent, free-streaming content in the sports media landscape.

How outlets are covering it

The New York Post and Sports Business Journal both highlight the emotional toll of Kolber's departure, specifically her reaction to the non-compete clause and the lack of public acknowledgment from ESPN. While the Post focuses on her 'losing it' during the exit call, the Sports Business Journal provides a broader view of her post-layoff adjustment, noting her eventual return to cheering on ESPN's current talent. The Tri-City Record provides context on the ongoing nature of ESPN layoffs, linking the 2023 cuts to the more recent 2026 reductions following the NFL Network acquisition.

Why it matters

Kolber's story illustrates the volatile nature of sports media contracts and the personal impact of corporate cost-cutting measures. Her successful pivot to a new streaming platform demonstrates the resilience of veteran journalists and the evolving landscape of sports content distribution, moving away from traditional cable networks toward independent digital platforms.

What to watch

Kolber's series 'The Originals' will air its first six episodes starting September 15. She has expressed openness to future live sports opportunities with the Scripps Sports Network, though she has stated that being on live television is no longer her primary career goal.