Several High-Profile Personalities Let Go By ESPN: Here Is Who Is Confirmed

BRISTOL, CT — ESPN is slashing multiple on-air talent jobs to further cut the company's costs in a series of layoffs, the company announced in a statement Friday.

The job cuts are part of the company's mission to identify and act on opportunities to save money, which will include a focus on managing costs associated with contract renewals in the months ahead, ESPN said.

According to a source that spoke with The Hollywood Reporter, about 20 people are being notified of their layoff Friday, including Jeff Van Gundy, the channel’s top NBA game analyst, and ESPN veterans Max Kellerman, Keyshawn Johnson, and Jalen Rose.

Also among the talent being laid off is Monday Night Countdown host Suzy Kolber.

"Today I join the many hard-working colleagues who have been laid off," Kolber wrote in a tweet Friday afternoon. "Heartbreaking-but 27 years at ESPN was a good run. So grateful for a 38 yr career! Longevity for a woman in this business is something I’m especially proud of."

Other names confirmed by the New York Post's Andrew Marchand include: NFL analyst Matt Hasselbeck, Todd McShay, an NFL draft expert, 'SportsCenter' anchor Ashley Brewer, ESPN College GameDay Analyst LaPhonso Ellis, and radio host Jason Fitz.

On Twitter, Brewer wrote: "I am so grateful for my time at ESPN and the opportunity to host Sportscenter. I learned and grew so much as a broadcaster and person. I will really miss all of the wonderful friends I made along the way. I know God has a plan for my life and I look forward to what’s next."

In its Friday statement, ESPN described the layoffs as "an extremely challenging process, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company."

"These difficult decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth," the company continued.

Longtime commentator Stephen A. Smith first said on his "K[no]w Mercy” podcast in March that ESPN is "going to have some cuts coming," with additional unnamed sources telling Front Office Sports that layoffs were in the works at the Bristol-based company.

The layoffs come as part of wider job cuts at ESPN's parent company Disney, Business Insider reported earlier this year.

Disney CEO Bob Iger announced the restructuring of the company in February, with ESPN becoming a standalone division along with its theme parks and entertainment divisions.

Disney is set to slash a total of 7,000 jobs from its workforce and cut $5.5 billion in costs, CNBC reported in February.

With 3,800 employees, ESPN ranked No.21 on a list of the state’s largest employers published by Hartford Business Journal in January.