Layoffs hit NBC Sports Chicago

 

NBC Sports Chicago

Another wave of layoffs hit NBC Sports Chicago Monday, as the regional sports network responded to continuing declines in subscribers and revenue.

No figures were confirmed, but sources said 12 full-time positions were eliminated, including White Sox beat writer Dan Hayes, a senior executive producer, two senior web producer/editors, a digital director, digital sales executive, associate producer, photographer and director.

“We are resetting our business goals in order to best serve our fans,” the company said in a statement. “We continually look at our businesses to make them efficient and successful. Unfortunately, we had to make some employee changes at NBC Sports Chicago.”

Hayes posted a personal note on Twitter, in which he thanked former bosses and colleagues for his five years on the job. “While I’m in shock writing this now, I can’t say it’s surprising,” he wrote. “This industry has chewed up and spit out many more talented people in the last decade. It always has you looking over your shoulder, wondering when it's your turn.”

Also among those laid off was Jim Corno Jr., senior executive producer of live events, and son of the late president of Comcast SportsNet, James Corno Sr.

One year ago this week, Comcast SportsNet Chicago (since renamed NBC Sports Chicago) intiated its first layoffs since its founding in 2004 when at least 11 positions were cut in the area of studio crews and production personnel. Veteran host and reporter Chris Boden also was dropped in August.