As a sports fan and someone who's getting laid off, I can tell you that only the most naive person on the planet:
A) Didn't see this coming
B) Thought themselves immune to any corporate layoff
You know how getting rid of cable is a big thing here? Well, that hurt ESPN big time, because it's included in every basic cable/satellite package as well as being part of Sling TV. The subscription rate has dropped pretty dramatically. It paid WAY too much for NFL rights and turned Monday Night Football into a joke with matchups no one wants to watch (locals can't because of blackouts). It's my belief that when it overhauled its website a few years ago AND started paying a little too much attention to politics and social issues rather than sports, it turned a lot of people off. I did recognize a few of the layoffs, but none of the "stars" were let go. And ESPN must not be paying anyone severance, because severances have a gag order (mine does) and everyone affected was blowing up Twitter yesterday.