The media industry was dealt another blow this week as more layoffs were revealed at ESPN after parent company Disney made more cuts to its budget due to the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic.
As journalists and other employees announced their fate on Twitter, the general public became aware of the lives these layoffs were affecting.
This led to more negativity on Twitter, however. One user tagged ESPN personalities Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman and blamed their "fat salaries" for causing the layoffs, adding that the two "embarrass the platform."
Well, Smith saw the tweet and he did not appreciate it. The ESPN talking head excoriated the user in a response.
Smith argued that his salary, which is reportedly $8 million a year, is justified because he generates revenue for the company, therefore helps keep jobs afloat.
Smith's tweet, which garnered plenty of attention, got a somewhat mixed reaction from others.
Some pointed out that it was unfair to blame Smith for the company laying off employees due to the pandemic, while others argued that Smith taking a reduced salary also could have gone a long way in helping save some jobs.
Meanwhile, the user who sent the initial tweet has since made his account private due to the avalanche of mentions he was receiving.
LISTEN NOW on the RADIO.COM App
Follow RADIO.COM Sports
Twitter | Facebook I Instagram