ESPN pay cuts?

It's crazy how the pre-game shows are stocked with coaches and players who have been out of the game for 20 and 30 years. I mean, if it was this way in the 70s you would be hearing stuido people talking about going both ways and how players today were sissies for having facemasks and plastic helmets. "Give me leather any day!"

 

The ESPN LA show last night made me want to puke. Bad enough about the Lakers winning the In-Season, throw in the Ohtani signing - at least LAFC lost the MLS Cup.

 

Rachel Nichols did it, too.

 

And Suzy Kolber.

 

SAS was the only one told to get on the next bus out of town. He was exiled to the Fox Sports Radio AM show, FFS. Nichols left for CNN and Kolber left for Fox on their own terms. It was about the time SAS was starting to become a caricature of himself, which funny enough is what got him back in the door.

 

SAS’s journey always amazes and impresses me. He went from print to Sports Reporters to building an absolute empire. That path is so rare.

 

He topped off the empire with the most impressive thing of all...by inspiring a recurring Simpsons character:

Anger Watkins.

 

How many cuts will ESPN have to make to cover damages if Kimmel files a lawsuit against McAfee and ESPN?

 

For all the crud SAS and Herbstreit get - I have no idea how ESPN would replace them if they were suddenly out of the picture. The both carry a lot of water for the network and I don't know if ESPN has anyone else who could fill those roles - which made me wonder who else is on the "irreplaceable" list in sports media. Barkley obviously, but it is a short list. Maybe the most amazing thing about sports media is how many very well paid people could disappear tomorrow, and it would really make any difference to their networks.

 

Public figure, so I doubt a lawsuit by Kimmel would go forward. BUT, ESPN could save some $$ by not paying QAron to be on the show if he's going to continue to traffic in slander and public health disinformation.

 

Why does the SAS role need to be filled? Who decided it was necessary? Just because there are seven screen grabs of his face on various topics on ESPN.com's home page at any given time, does there have to be?

 

No. But cheaper to pay SAS one salary than have hot takers in five different sports.