Jonathan Givony, the highly-rated NBA analyst, has walked away from ESPN after talks over a new contract broke down.
Draft guru Givony has been at ESPN since 2017 and announced his departure on social media.
‘My time at ESPN has come to an end. Thanks to everyone, past and present, who helped me grow professionally the past 8 years,’ he wrote. ‘Although ESPN offered an extension, we were unable to find alignment on my value to the company.’
His comments about struggling to agree a deal are particularly striking considering ESPN splashed out $100m on a new contract for Stephen A. Smith earlier this year.
During the recent NBA Finals, Smith was spotted playing solitaire on his phone while Game 4 of Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder was going on in front of him.
Givony’s statement continued: ‘I will continue to analyze the NBA Draft, college, high school, and international basketball, as I have the past 20+ years, at the company I founded, DraftExpress, alongside a fantastic team. See you at the U18 European Championship in Belgrade this weekend!’
Jonathan Givony has walked away from ESPN after rejecting a new contract offer
He was met with widespread support from his followers on social media, who vowed to follow wherever he goes next.
But perhaps the most striking comment came from distinguished former EPSN NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski, who commented on Givony’s Instagram post saying: ‘Best of the best’.
It was a sentiment echoed by Givony’s fans and other basketball reporters.
‘One of the goats man best of luck, ESPN is missing out,’ one follower replied to Givony on X.
Another fan said: ‘One of the only bright spots of ESPN’s NBA Draft coverage. Actually was able to give insight about players in the draft unlike almost everyone else on the crew. Massive loss for ESPN.’
NBA reporter Brett Siegel wrote: ‘What a loss for ESPN. You are the best in the business Jonathan. You will find success wherever you are.’
Earlier in July, reporter Michele Steele announced the end of her time at ESPN after 14 years.
‘I’m turning the page…’ she wrote in her statement on X. ‘After a 14-year journey at ESPN, spanning assignments in Bristol, Boston, and Chicago, this chapter as a bureau reporter concludes on Aug. 1.’
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