Dave Portnoy Wants Mina Kimes Fired Immediately — Unleashes Nasty Rant On ESPN After Controversial Layoffs
This article was originally published on Total Pro Sports.
Dave Portnoy ripped ESPN after the network’s latest wave of layoffs claimed several longtime personalities.
The Barstool Sports founder reacted after reports confirmed that ESPN had parted ways with Ryan Clark, Karl Ravech and several other on-air employees amid Disney’s ongoing restructuring of the company.
Most of the cuts stemmed from ESPN‘s integration of NFL Network following its acquisition earlier this year.
Portnoy reserved some of his strongest criticism for Mina Kimes.
“Mina Kimes is the definition of trash,” he tweeted. “Read a book for me 1 time. Specifically my book. I’d tag Mina but she’s a coward and blocked me.”
He later questioned why Kimes remained at ESPN while veteran baseball broadcaster Karl Ravech had been let go.
“Boo!!!! Karl Ravech is awesome! How does Mina Kimes have a job before Ravech? Mina Kimes is the worst of the worst of the worst!”
Portnoy Compares Barstool’s Approach With ESPN’s Latest Cost-Cutting Decisions
Portnoy has also criticized ESPN’s business model, arguing Barstool handles expensive talent differently.
“Another glaring difference between ESPN and Barstool… Loyalty matters here. At ESPN there is no such thing,” he wrote.
His comments followed one of ESPN’s most shocking layoffs in years, alongside rumors that it’s all due to Pat McAfee’s impending new deal.
Ryan Clark reportedly learned he had lost his job while appearing on ‘NFL Live’ after executives accelerated the decision to prevent news of his departure from leaking first.
Tuesday’s cuts also reportedly included longtime baseball voice Karl Ravech, NFL insider Tom Pelissero, injury analyst Stephania Bell and veteran SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd.
Reports also indicated NFL analyst Charles Davis and contributor Cam Newton were among those leaving, as ESPN and NFL Network reduced staff.
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro told employees the layoffs formed part of the company’s ongoing integration of NFL Network and broader restructuring efforts.
