Array
ESPN has sent Jalen Rose to the unemployment line, along with NBA game analyst Jeff Van Gundy as the cable sports network begins another round to trim millions from its operating budget.
Rose, 50, was the first high-profile layoff of this latest round of layoffs on Friday, according to the New York Post.
Rose already had his role slashed after his daily program with David Jacoby was canceled at the end of 2022, the paper added.
The end of Rose’s contract with ESPN will reportedly save the network at least $3 million a year in salary, the amount he was reportedly paid in 2018.
Rose has also been a lightning rod for controversy for the network.
Last year, for instance, he accused people who use the name “Mount Rushmore” of being racists because he says the name should be “offensive” to all Americans.
“I want to continue to challenge myself and to challenge you to do something,” Rose said in a Twitter video in August of last year. “Can we retire using Mt. Rushmore?”
“That should be offensive to all of us, especially Native Americans,” Rose exclaimed.
Here’s why using Mount Rushmore to define greatness should be retired immediately. pic.twitter.com/mtYYTtKFSa
Jalen Rose (@JalenRose) August 3, 2022
His attack on Mt. Rushmore brought South Dakota’s Republican Gov. Kristi Noem to say that the name wouldn’t be canceled on her watch.
“The four men on Mount Rushmore were amazing, flawed American leaders who helped make America what it is today — the greatest country the world has ever known,” Noem wrote in response to Rose’s comments.
