Overview
- Kolber said she was laid off by ESPN in June 2023 after 27 years with the network, a move that followed a broad round of talent cuts.
- She recounted that ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro warned her a week before the call that “there’s a whiteboard and your name’s on it,” which she says signaled the layoff ahead of internal leaks.
- Kolber said longtime executive Norby Williamson delivered the termination call and told her she risked forfeiting the final year of her contract if she said anything disparaging about the company, a moment she described as emotional.
- Before her exit, Kolber accepted a 39 percent pay cut and reduced assignments, and she said ESPN declined to publicly acknowledge her departure or thank her for her service.
- Kolber will executive‑produce and host The Originals on the Scripps Sports Network, which premieres Sept. 15, 2026, and her interview has reignited discussion about ESPN’s multi‑year talent reductions and the rise of alternative outlets for legacy on‑air talent.