The era of ESPN is over.
Longtime network executive Norby Williamson stepped down Friday after a nearly 40-year tenure, The Post has learned.
About a year ago, Burke Magnus was promoted above Williamson to become president of ESPN content.
Sources said Magnus and Williamson did not share a vision consistent with ESPN’s long-term strategy, leading to Magnus’ decision to part ways with the veteran executive.
“I was very fortunate to be offered the opportunity at ESPN nearly 40 years ago in 1985,” Williamson said in a memo to ESPN staff.
“I would like to think that because of the extraordinary hard work, creativity and dedication of the people at ESPN, and my contributions, we were able to leave this great company in a much better place than we started with.”
According to sources, the search for Williamson’s replacement will begin immediately and an interim reporting structure will be established for the team under Williamson.
Williamson’s contract was scheduled to last until ESPN and ABC broadcast the Super Bowl in early 2027.
In a career with ESPN that began in the mailroom in 1985, Williamson rose to become one of the Worldwide Leader’s top executives.
His most recent role is executive editor and head of events and studio production, where he is responsible for overseeing all live NFL and college football games and studio content for ESPN.
He has been specifically associated with the “SportsCenter” brand over the years.
Williamson, 60, is known for facing off against some of ESPN’s top talent over the years, from Stuart Scott to Dan Patrick to, most recently, Pat McAfee. He has called out Mr. Williamson twice on air in recent months.
McAfee accused Williamson of trying to sabotage the show by implying that he leaked negative ratings information.
One source claimed that Mr. Williamson’s departure was not at Mr. McAfee’s behest, but would have been the result of having a different content vision than Mr. Magnus.
Williamson has long been a supporter of meat-and-potatoes sports content and has built great relationships with the talent behind the lines to maintain that vision.
Mr. Magnus said in his memo that the search for Mr. Williamson’s replacement will begin as soon as possible.
