Jason McIntyre reports Charissa Thompson is leaving ESPN.
And here’s the key takeaway from McIntyre:
Sources tell me that Erin Andrews – who is close friends with Thompson – going to Fox last year and Michelle Beadle going to NBC, along with Rachel Nichols leaving ESPN for CNN this year, have sent salaries soaring for women on TV talking sports.
And with NBC and Fox trying to compete with ESPN, the easy move is to pluck its high profile talent. This backs ESPN into a corner: Does it try and match the rumored offers – I’ve heard anywhere from $600k a year to $800k for Andrews, Beadle and Nichols – to retain talent, or let them walk and find the next rising star? I think it’s clear from these four departures that ESPN has made a decision.
Obviously, ESPN is picking and choosing who they want to keep. Who is worth the big money?
Meanwhile, for those who left, the decision goes beyond money. They received expanded opportunities from their new networks.
Coming soon: Releases from ESPN on talent who stayed with network.
Who cares about the on air talent? All most people care about is what game is on, not who the sideline reporter or play by play guy is. Maybe espn has smartly figured this out and is happy to let Fox waste its money on talent.