ESPN Says Len’s Not Leaving, Clayton’s Not Being Undermined

In response to Saturday’s report from Deadspin that Len Pasquarelli will be leaving ESPN and our own suggestion that John Clayton will be undermined by the addition of Adam Schefter, we’re told that neither man’s job will be changing in 2009. According to ESPN spokesman Bill Hofheimer, Len will continue with ESPN.com in a role similar to his work in 2008, which primarily consisted of podcasts with Jeremy Green. That said, one source with knowledge of the internal dynamics has suggested that Len might eventually decide to exit ESPN on his own, given the extent of the content available at ESPN.com. But the source emphasized that ESPN will not be eliminating Pasquarelli. As to Clayton, Hofheimer says that his role and responsibilities will be consistent with his role and responsibilities in past years. But Hofheimer still has not confirmed the news that Schefter will be joining ESPN. For Pasquarelli, health issues have kept him from returning to a full workload. Here’s hoping that he eventually can get back to his past efforts. ESPN’s coverage simply hasn’t been the same without his work ethic and his insight.