ESPN announces major restructure with split over studio and game production, exec changes and huge moves at the top

ESPN is conducting a major overhaul of its operations.

Content president Burke Magnus, who was promoted to the role last year, is behind the network ‘s ambitious plan.

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Reuters

Executives Mike McQuade and Dave Roberts have landed powerful new positions with studio and game productions set to be split.

McQuade, 37, will oversee live sports as executive vice president of sports production.

His position also involves looking after the likes of Sunday NFL Countdown, Monday Night Countdown, and NBA Countdown.

Roberts will focus on studio shows like First Take and The Pat McAfee Show as executive vice president and executive editor of sports news and entertainment.

Some of the pair’s duties were handled by executive vice president Norby Williamson who spent almost 40 years at ESPN but left in April over a “disconnect” with Magnus, per Front Office Sports.

Their report adds that “five or six veteran executives” have lost their jobs, but the network will maintain a similar headcount.

“As we went through the process, Mike continued to distinguish himself in every conversation with me and with others about his vision for how to do that,” Magnus told Front Office Sports.

“Mike is a longtime ESPN guy so he knows the culture of our company, he knows how the place works.

“Quietly, he’s extremely effective. Just a results-driven executive.

“Doesn’t bring a lot of drama with him. Just gets things done — and gets them done at an extremely high level.

“He’s probably the single best live event producer that we have.”

Magnus decided to go in-house with both appointments despite speaking to external applicants.

“We have so much to do here, there can’t be friction,” he added.

“That will just hold us back and make things more complicated,” Magnus said.

'It was a short retirement!'

Jason Kelce didn't stay retired in the NFL for long.

The former Philadelphia Eagles lineman called it quits after the 2023 season.

But he will be part of ESPN’s coverage on Monday Night Football in 2024.

Kelce will appear on Monday Night Countdown from 6pm-8pm ET every week as well as during the halftime show.

“Turns out, it was a short retirement!” he joked.

“ESPN was a consistent presence in our household growing up and the network helped shape who I am and my love of all sports.

“To now appear on that same screen is a full circle moment.

“And, I mean it’s freaking Monday Night Football! and I’m ready for some football.”

“Both of these gentlemen will help keep that to a minimum.”

ESPN has secured Philadelphia Eagles great Jason Kelce to feature in Monday Night Countdown.

The Disney-owned network fired Sunday NFL Countdown host Sam Ponder and football analyst Robert Griffin III last week.

Mike Greenberg has been revealed as the new Sunday NFL Countdown host since then.

While host and reporter Kelsey Riggs is joining SportsCenter as the new full-time anchor.

Louis Riddick replaced Griffin as ESPN’s college football game analyst.

After his firing, RGIII said that “questions” about his exit would be “answered soon.”