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ESPN Lays Off NBA Writer Zach Lowe

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Detail view of the ESPN camera before game.

In a shocking decision, ESPN has parted ways with NBA senior writer Zach Lowe, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported on Thursday.

ESPN Lays Off NBA Writer Zach Lowe

Lowe’s dismissal is a part of ESPN’s fiscal year planning that concludes at the end of September. Per Marchand, Lowe’s seven-figure salary was the biggest factor in ESPN’s decision.

Lowe is one of ESPN’s top NBA writers. The 47-year-old began working with ESPN 12 years ago under the Grantland banner. Lowe was hired by former ESPN employee and current Ringer CEO, Bill Simmons.

Over the past few years, Lowe began appearing on ESPN’s afternoon basketball show, NBA Today.

Lowe is the host of the popular Lowe Post podcast.

In August, ESPN fired NFL analyst Robert Griffin III and Sunday NFL Countdown host Sam Ponder. Those firings were also attributed to budgetary issues.

Per Marchand, Lowe is expected to be the final ESPN layoff for this round.

Zach Lowe’s Dismissal Sparked Outrage On Social Media

Lowe is considered one of the smartest basketball personalities on ESPN.

His firing sparked major outrage, as many of Lowe’s contemporaries and fans came to his defense.

SI’s Chris Mannix described Lowe as one of the “most talented and versatile NBA journalists” and called his dismissal a “huge loss for ESPN.”

Adrian Wojnarowski, Lowe’s former colleague, said, “Zach is easily one of the most talented people I’ve ever worked with or around in this industry.”

NBA Today host Malika Andrews praised Lowe’s “deep knowledge and skill” and called him an “incredible teammate.”

ESPN’s basketball coverage is a crossroads. The network needs a new top insider after Wojnarowski’s retirement. Additionally, ESPN must find a replacement for JJ Redick to join the network’s top broadcast team of Mike Breen and Doris Burke.