For the first time since ESPN showed her the door in 2023, Suzy Kolber is opening up about the shocking end to her 27-year run with the network. The beloved "NFL Live" host, who was among the first faces of ESPN2, finally revealed the emotional backstory of her departure on the "Sports Media with Richard Deitsch" podcast.
Kolber, 62, revealed that ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro gave her a cryptic warning that her name had appeared on a "whiteboard" — a sign she was on the chopping block. Sitting in her kitchen next to her daughter, the reality hit her like a ton of bricks.
"He said, 'Suzy there's a whiteboard and your name's on it. I don't really know for sure right now but your name is on it.' I remember that day sitting next to my daughter in the kitchen. For years I've said 'You never know.' And I sat down next to her and I cried. And I said, 'I think this is really happening,'" Kolber recounted.
The tears didn't stop there. Kolber said she nearly "lost it" during a conversation with ESPN executive Norby Williamson, who delivered the official news and asked her to keep quiet about the company — or risk losing the final year of her contract. Kolber fired back with defiance.
"I have never said one negative thing about this company," she said. "Do you think I'm going to start now?"
What stung even more was the silence that followed. After nearly three decades of groundbreaking work — she was the first person hired for the launch of ESPN2, the first assigned to the X Games, and a key part of "Monday Night Football's" move to ESPN — Kolber expected at least a thank-you. Instead, she got nothing.
"I just thought after 27 years of, I was the first person hired for the launch of ESPN 2. I was the first person assigned to the X Games," she said. "I went and shot the marketing tape for it. 'Monday Night Football's' move to ESPN, I was part of some pretty big franchises. You're not going to say a word? Not thanks for 27 years, just acknowledge it? I didn't understand that."
Kolber's exit was part of a larger wave of layoffs at ESPN, which also saw other notable on-air talent, like Bart Scott, who offered his own brutally honest take on being let go. The network has faced criticism for how it handles longtime employees, and Kolber's story adds another layer to that narrative.
But Kolber isn't dwelling on the past. She's already looking ahead, with a new show set to premiere on the Scripps Sports Network on Sept. 15. It's a fresh chapter for a broadcaster who has cemented her legacy as one of the most respected voices in sports media.
As she moves forward, Kolber's candid reflections serve as a reminder of the human side of the business — and the importance of acknowledging the contributions of those who helped build it. Her story also echoes the experiences of others in the industry, like Erin Andrews, who has navigated her own career transitions with grace.
