ESPN Sportscaster Sara Walsh Gets Pink Slip as Preparing to Return From Maternity Leave

“Unfortunately, I will not be coming back as I was included in the recent layoffs,” says the former “SportsCenter” anchor, who recently had twins

Sara Walsh and Matt Buschmann
Getty Images

Former “SportsCenter” anchor Sara Walsh discovered that she was laid off as she was preparing to return to work after maternity leave, she said Thursday.

The ESPN sportscaster was among the estimated 100 employees and on-air talent who were victims of the latest round of cost-cutting layoffs at the network.

“I was truly excited to return to work today from maternity leave with the twins. Unfortunately, I will not be coming back as I was included in the recent layoffs,” Walsh tweeted Thursday. “Much appreciation to those I worked with, and especially to those who watched.”

An insider with knowledge of the situation told TheWrap that Walsh was informed of her termination with everyone else laid off on April 26, and that all contract employees will continue to be paid.

The 39-year-old from Tampa, Florida, joined the network in 2010 after working as a weekend sports reporter for CBS-affiliate WUSA in Washington, DC.

In 2014, she married former Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Matt Buschmann (pictured above) — who was recently released by the Toronto Blue Jays — and in February of this year, the couple welcomed twins Hutton and Brees.

Walsh joins the large number of prominent ESPN talent who were given their pink slips last week, including NFL reporter Ed Werder, “SportsCenter” anchor Jaymee Sire, ESPN Radio host Danny Kanell, and “SportsCenter” anchor Jay Crawford.

The large cuts come as the expensive “Worldwide Leader in Sports” hemorrhages subscribers in the cord-cutting era. Readers can find out how ESPN is combating that new reality through its content by clicking here. Business-wise, a large chunk of cost-savings will be based on the layoffs, which we knew were coming. The job consolidation will include dozens of names sports fans know from television and radio, as well as some reporters, and jobs that fall under the company’s “Commentators” bin.

“We will implement changes in our talent lineup this week,” president John Skipper told his employees last week. “A limited number of other positions will also be affected and a handful of new jobs will be posted to fill various needs.”

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