Melissa Stark, Andrew Siciliano among NFL Network's latest staff cuts
While ratings for the NFL continue to soar and set records, the league's internal media arm experienced additional cuts.
Four prominent on-air personalities will not be back: Andrew Siciliano, Melissa Stark, Will Selva and James Palmer.
"As is normal course of business this time of year, we are evaluating our talent roster for the upcoming 2024 season and beyond," NFL Network spokesperson Alex Riethmiller said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports. "That process results in renewals, non-renewals and additions to our talent lineup depending on programming needs. To those departing talent, we give our sincere thanks and appreciation for their hard work and contributions to NFL Media."
The Athletic first reported the news of the cuts.
Siciliano became popular by hosting "RedZone" on "DirecTV" on Sundays during the regular season since 2005. However, Google and YouTube TV gained the rights to the "Sunday Ticket" package and "RedZone" was pared down to one production hosted by Scott Hanson.
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Selva provided news updates for the in-transition morning show on NFL Network, "Good Morning Football." The future of that show is in flux. It is currently on hiatus until August and is moving production from New York to Los Angeles. Host Jamie Erdahl has said she will stay with the program, although the other members of the show (Kyle Brandt, Peter Schrager, Jason McCourty) have not announced their plans.
Stark was a contributor and is still the sideline reporter for "Sunday Night Football" and NBC's top NFL broadcast team.
Palmer was a national reporter and correspondent for NFL Network since 2015. He posted on social media that NFL Network had bought out the remainder of his contract.
NFL Media is controlled and owned by the league, but the NFL has recently sought a buyer to take over operations. ESPN has been mentioned as a potential match as part of an equity swap. Last May, NFL Network laid off 5% of its Los Angeles-based crew (roughly 50 people) and, in January, the league offered 200 employees buyouts.
