N.B.A

Lowe is the latest victim of the network’s cost-cutting measures.

By Chad Finn, The Boston Globe

September 26, 2024 | 2:19 p.m

ESPN fired NBA writer and podcaster Zach Lowe on Thursday, the latest victim of the network’s cost-cutting measures.

In mid-August, ESPN fired NFL studio host Sam Ponder and analyst Robert Griffin III as part of its plan to stay on budget through the end of September.

According to an industry source, Lowe’s firing is for the same reason. ESPN is not expected to lay off any more on-air personalities now that its budget has been met.

Over the course of his 12 years at ESPN — first on Bill Simmons’ Grantland site before moving to the main site in 2015 — Lowe emerged as one of the NBA’s most insightful voices ever.

His Lowe Post podcast, which released an episode on Wednesday, was a must-listen for NBA fans, especially those with an analytical bent. He also appeared frequently on the network’s NBA broadcasts such as “NBA Today” and wrote for the paywall website.

Lowe, 47, is a Connecticut native and graduated from Dartmouth. He began his journalism career in 2004 as a court, crime and government reporter for the Stamford (Conn.) Advocate.

A few years later, he began writing part-time for the Celtics Hub blog and was hired by Sports Illustrated in 2010.