ESPN EVP of Manufacturing Norby Williamson, who helped construct SportsCenter right into a signature franchise however not too long ago had a public conflict with Pat McAfee, is departing after almost 40 years on the community.
Burke Magnus, President of Content material, relayed the information to staff in a memo Friday morning. (Learn it in full under.) Magnus stated the Disney sports activities division would quickly be conducting “a full seek for a brand new senior content material govt.” He additionally saluted Williamson’s “steadfast dedication and a spotlight to element, Norby has had an enduring influence on the sports activities followers’ expertise.”
An announcement from Williamson was additionally included within the inner memo. “As a result of distinctive onerous work, creativity and dedication of the individuals of ESPN, and to a a lot lesser extent my contributions, I’d wish to suppose we’ve left our nice firm in a much better place than we discovered it,” the assertion stated.
By a lot of turbulent durations for ESPN, particularly lately as a lot of high execs and expertise exited and Disney’s company-wide efforts to trim prices took impact, Williamson remained a gradual determine. In latest months, nevertheless, friction with McAfee additionally spilled into public view. The high-paid host, whose YouTube-based present was picked up by ESPN final yr for a reported $85 million over 5 years, named Williamson on a January 2024 episode, blaming the exec for leaking damaging info and “actively making an attempt to sabotage us.”
McAfee, whose freewheeling present nonetheless streams on YouTube because it additionally airs on ESPN, has seemingly redrawn the boundaries of what makes for appropriate ESPN programming. The previous NFL punter’s relationship with quarterback Aaron Rodgers has netted the present a weekly phase with the New York Jets star, although a latest episode noticed Rodgers spout vaccine misinformation for a number of minutes. The detour appeared notably jarring given the “keep on with sports activities” critique raised in opposition to a lot of on-air personalities lately.
Right here is the total memo from Magnus:
Colleagues:
I’m reaching out with some vital information. Norby Williamson will likely be leaving the corporate at this time after almost 40 years of devoted service.
Throughout Norby’s profession, he made important contributions throughout many vital roles inside Content material. By his steadfast dedication and a spotlight to element, Norby has had an enduring influence on the sports activities followers’ expertise. His wide-ranging affect contains SportsCenter, breaking information protection, immense creativity inside occasion and studio productions and various storytelling throughout varied ESPN platforms.
Norby wished to share the next message:
“Virtually 40 years in the past in 1985, I used to be so very lucky to be provided a chance at ESPN. As a result of distinctive onerous work, creativity and dedication of the individuals of ESPN, and to a a lot lesser extent my contributions, I’d wish to suppose we’ve left our nice firm in a much better place than we discovered it.”
As quickly as doable, we will likely be conducting a full seek for a brand new senior content material govt to assist lead our crew. Moreover, we’ll quickly present particulars about our interim reporting construction. We perceive you might have questions on this transition. I, together with my direct stories, will likely be obtainable to handle any questions within the coming days.
We thank Norby for his many contributions to ESPN and want him all the very best in his future endeavors.
Burke