SportsCenter anchor John Anderson - and huge track fan - will be retiring from show in June

ESPN has been making a lot of cuts, layoffs, salary reductions recently. They are really struggling financially and it definitely was going to impact a contract renewal for him.

John Anderson made millions at ESPN though, he should be able to retire very comfortably.

It's just the opposite. Fans who knock ESPN have been downright gleeful for years, insisting they are losing viewers and plunging into red. Meanwhile once Disney began releasing ESPN financials last fall the profits are immense. It's drawn scrutiny toward Disney and the cost cutting at ESPN:

frontofficesports.com

ESPN's Financial Success Raises Questions About Layoffs

Michael McCarthy

Disney's financials reveal a surprisingly profitable and powerful ESPN. That's leading ex-staffers to wonder why they were laid off.

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I've really enjoyed the track broadcasts I've seen when John Anderson has done the commentating. I have two young daughters (4 and 6), and we let them watch "Olympics" a couple nights a week during dinner, and they really like "the one where people jump over things into the water" - steeplechase! - and some of the other track events. So I've gotten to re-watch a few of the recent Olympic track broadcasts, and John does a really good job. He knows the athletes and compelling storylines, has a proper level of enthusiasm and meters that enthusiasm appropriately in a way that matches the way the race plays out, and brings that intangible gravitas of a mainstream sports announcer to track.

I've love ESPN's line up for track, it's so much better than the other network. I'm glad John Anderson will be continuing for track. Do you you remember his comment to Maia Ramsden after she won the 1500m last summer? "I guess Harvard is more than just a hammer thrower school."

Me; dies laughing.

I’d like to see John do a Track podcast. Him spitballing with all the athletes that come through the NCAA would be great. Can picture the Valby/Grant episodes, they’d be must-listen.

Anderson is less appealing to those who prefer a more understated approach. His drunk uncle vibe and subtle coldness towards athletes he's not chummy with rubs me the wrong way.

SportsCener is so 20th century. That's how people used to watch the highlights when they could not find instant highlights on YouTube.

guy gets bashed constantly (justifiably) during live threads of events he's commentating but is now getting mad praise here....weird

Silent majority likes John.

I didn’t cough up the dough to watch Indoor Natty’s, and then the NCAA replay on YouTube unfortunately did not include Valby’s post-race interview (like they did with Nico).
But gratefully, someone else posted a copy (before ESPN probably took it down), and it was very interesting, because in it, we learn about Valby’s motivation and hard work to get her picture up on the Florida wall if she won 4 NCAA Championships. (She said she wanted to have a say in which picture would be used, 😁.)

maybe millions of pesos

John Anderson is far from perfect but as a fan of a sport that gets treated like it doesn't exist by TV/Media outside of the olympics we could do a hell of a lot worse than a guy who participated in the sport and has the cache and personality of Anderson.

I only knew him from the NCAA trackside interviews of winners, which I pretty much like because he gives off a friendly, congratulatory vibe. There is a place for tough, investigatory journalism but trackside interviews of NCAA champs are not that place, so it's better to have him than Lewis there.

I think John Anderson has been great for the sport. He supports track and field, marathon racing, and NCAA cross country. I believe he is a true fan. I saw him and spoke to him at US indoor nationals in Albuquerque. Great guy! I was impressed that he was there watching, even though he was not doing any commentary or interviews.