re: One of the best takes on today's ESPN layoffs

In my more cynical take, I blamed it on ESPN's complete capitulation on actually doing journalism, content to be a PR wag for the athletes and leagues they cover instead. I think that's true, too, but this article is right: it's all about rights fees at the end of the day.

The worst thing is for all of the cost to ESPN, it's not like they have a hammerlock on sports content. If you follow a local pro sports team, it's a near certainty you're watching a Fox Sports local affiliate to do so. And to watch a national league, what has ESPN really bought?

They have national deals with MLB, NBA, and NFL, but if you'e a fan of the NBA or MLB, you almost certainly prefer to follow the league through their own streaming apps/networks. The NFL is primarily on free TV. The smaller, niche sports of soccer and NHL are almost entirely on NBC or boutique networks like BeIn.

The only sports you NEED ESPN to follow is college football/basketball. They own college sports right now, which, frankly, aren't THAT popular. They've spent a ton of money to corner the market on live sports, and didn't even corner the market.