*ESPN laid off around 20 high-profile on-air sports commentators over the summer and Jalen Rose was among those let go.
We reported previously via CNN that the network’s operating profit grew 56%, to $12.1 billion, in 2022.
“Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries,” ESPN said in a statement at the time.
As an analyst with ESPN, Rose was a major part of the network’s NBA coverage. But a former colleague claims Rose was “banned” from the sports show “First Take” after he made comments about former host Skip Bayless’ lackluster basketball skills, The Spun reports.
“Now, I remember Jalen Rose had a problem with Skip and then ultimately, Skip with Jalen, over the Pistol Pete, Water Pistol Pete comment,” said “First Take” moderator Jay Crawford on the Awful Announcing podcast.
Jay Crawford: Jalen Rose was banned from ‘First Take’ after mocking Skip Bayless’ high school stats https://t.co/vRZyjNFuXD pic.twitter.com/sNIaIpbcHa
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 25, 2023
“Now, we’re discussing in front of a very large audience, Skip Bayless’ senior year of high school. I knew that was only going to end poorly. I knew it.”
Crawford was referring to when Rose noted that Bayless averaged 1.4 points per game during his senior year of high school basketball. Bayless did not appreciate the comments and wanted Rose booted from the show.
“For a time, he had a very big role at ESPN,” Crawford said about Rose. “But I do know that the relationship between Skip and Jalen was fractured.”
Watch Crawford’s full commentary via the Twitter video above.
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