Report: ESPN To Closely Scrutinize Talent

ESPN is looking to shave millions of dollars in costs off what it pays its on-air and online sportscasters and writers, sources have told The NYPost.

ESPN is doing this in several ways: not renewing deals, offering lesser contracts or just small increases. While in some ways this is business as usual, sources say, ESPN is trying to slow down the percentage of growth, year-to-year, it pays its front-facing personnel and is adding extra scrutiny in determining future salaries.

ESPN declined comment.

Under former ESPN president John Skipper, the high-end talent contracts grew, with Mike Greenberg ($6.5 million), Michelle Beadle ($5 million) and Katie Nolan (more than $1 million), among others.

At the same time, Skipper presided over hundreds of layoffs that affected on-camera and online personnel, as well as those behind the scenes.

Under current ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro, the high-earning top performers, who can directly point to ratings — such as Scott Van Pelt, Stephen A. Smith and Dan Le Batard — will still get paid, but big earners who aren’t producing will be scrutinized more heavily and could be in trouble.