ESPN has big big problems.
1) Cable operators have had it with ESPN's excessive fees on too many channels
2) American are dropping cable at an accelerating rate
3) The millennial demographic hates television
So….renegotiated lower fees with less subscribers and less viewership from the key demographic ====>> less money coming in to ESPN which happens to be Disney's most profitable division…..and less revenue at a time when…
4) ESPN is paying out massive rights fees to the NFL, MLB, NBA, College sports
In other words, the ESPN model has been turned upside down and it is no coincidence that high priced "personalties" are being jettisoned every chance ESPN gets .
5) Then factor in us long time sports junkies that who can't stand the arrogance of ESPN and purposely avoid the network .
6) Regarding their liberal leanings….and it is undeniable…..all I can say is "liberal media" has consistently been bad business and in this divided country, for a sports network to alienate a significant portion of the population with a liberal social agenda is business suicide….see MSNBC. CNN has just finally figured out (reluctantly) that center right is a better business model from a viewer and consumer standpoint. Why the Boards at these media conglomerates allow any "slant" is beyond me.
F**k ESPN……Get out Mike Reiss!!!!