Former NBA All-Star and future Hall of Fame inductee Vince Carter is reportedly finishing up his run at ESPN.
On Friday, ESPN laid off many notable employees, including 27-year veteran Suzy Kolber, NBA commentator Jeff Van Gundy, draft guru Todd McShay, former NFL stars and analysts Keyshawn Johnson, Matt Hasselbeck and Steve Young, former NBA star Jalen Rose and former “First Take” co-host Max Kellerman.
According to a report from Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports, Carter is likely to leave the Worldwide Leader in sports when his contract is up this summer. McCarthy noted that EPN is unlikely to extend his deal:
“The painful downsizing at ESPN is unfortunately not over by a long shot. While he likely won’t be part of today’s layoffs, NBA analyst Vince Carter could be leaving ESPN this summer, sources told Front Office Sports.
Once ESPN finishes Friday’s stunning layoff of talents such as Jeff Van Gundy, it will closely examine the rest of its long-term talent deals.
In a separate exercise that could take as long as 12 months, ESPN management will examine which long long-term talent contracts it wants to keep – and which it will let expire for cost-cutting reasons.
The 46-year-old Carter’s contract is up in September, said sources. He probably won’t be offered a new deal after three years at ESPN.”
Back in February, Disney CEO Bob Iger revealed that the company would be cutting 7,000 jobs as a way to save billions of dollars. ESPN has conducted several long employee cuts over the years, but this most recent one is especially controversial given all the marquee names leaving.
Carter retired from the NBA after the 2019-20 season, which he spent with the Atlanta Hawks. Following his playing career, the eight-time All-Star and Toronto Raptors’ legend joined ESPN in an analyst role.
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Carter was drafted fifth overall by the Golden State Warriors back in 1998, but he was quickly traded to the Raptors. Carter also played for the New Jersey Nets, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings before joining the Hawks.
