Michelle Beadle Leaving ESPN: Loss of Network Personality Is of No Consequence

ESPN sports personalities are only vital to the network in a few situations, and Michelle Beadle wasn't involved in any of them. The co-host of SportsNation with Colin Cowherd is apparently leaving ESPN for NBC. Aside from specialists like Jay Bilas and Jalen Rose, the network will take any departure in stride. 

Sports by Brooks first dropped these two tweets about Beadle's departure from the worldwide leader:

"

SbB has learned Michelle Beadle will depart ESPN for NBC Sports with the plan for her to land eventually at Access Hollywood as co-host.

"

"— SPORTSbyBROOKS (@SPORTSbyBROOKS) May 10, 2012"

"

Before Beadle transitions to NBCUniversal-distributed Access Hollywood, she'll cover Olympics, appear on Today Show, among other duties.

— SPORTSbyBROOKS (@SPORTSbyBROOKS) May 10, 2012"

She always did a solid job on SportsNation, her podcasts and other spots under the ESPN brand were good as well, but this is ESPN. Love 'em or hate 'em, they make superstars by giving them platforms. The personalities don't make the network.

Because of how large ESPN has become, they are the presence in sports that most fans trust, and because of that reputation, they epitomize legitimacy. In the world of sports news and talk, legitimacy is king.

I hear Beadle and Scott Van Pelt being referred to as "free agents," as both have expiring contracts with the network. The definition matches in the raw sense of the word, but it certainly doesn't carry the same weight as when it concerns an athlete, or the teams fans cheer for.

Beadle is talented, but the network will easily shake off her departure for two reasons.

I'll use sports metaphors, as I think most with an interest in this subject will get my drift.

Strong Farm System

Nearly the entire world of sports reporting is ESPN's farm system. It's true, there are talented people in this business who are happy with their current position. They have no complaints about money, status, etc. But there are far more who would jump at the chance to replace Beadle as Cowherd's co-host, and replace her in any other capacity.

Moreover, many of these folks are as talented as Beadle; all they need is a platform to share it with the world. ESPN knows that, and her replacement will be taking center stage shortly.

High Attendance Rankings

The fans will show up with or without Beadle. I don't think any fan of SportsNation or any other program Beadle appeared on will stop watching because she's gone.

It's about the strength of the brand. As much as Yankees fans might love Derek Jeter, almost none of them would stop going to games if the Yankees parted ways with him—even when he was in his prime.

The Yankees are bigger than any one player, and ESPN's strongest programs are bigger than its hosts and co-hosts.

This equates to a blip on the network's radar and on the radar of most sports fans.

Follow Brian Mazique and Franchiseplay.net for reactions, analysis and news from the world of sports and sports video games.

Follow @BrianMazique

Follow @franchiseplay