Terrible management, LOTS of corporate BS - Anonymous employee ESPN Employee Review

1.0
Feb 21, 2015
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

In the beginning, this was a really great place to work. The HQ is amazing and exciting events happen throughout the year (especially in the summer/fall). Work-life balance was encouraged and hours were flexible (you will see many employees arriving between 9-9:30am, leaving by 5pm). Working from home was usually an option and management made you feel like you were valued/important. There is a cafe and gym on-site, as well as ample opportunities to get personal and professional training (First Aid/CPR, Navigating Through Conflict classes, Building Your Emotional Intelligence, etc.) - the wellness team is awesome and personal training is provided if you want it.

Cons

It's all a lie. Management will give you amazing benefits when you first start out and then they will break you down after 6-7 months by taking away your benefits and focusing on a lot of negatives. First, say goodbye to "flexible work hours" - even though it's part of the culture to have relaxed hours, certain management will be quick to demand that you are AT your desk at whatever your starting time is, not even a few minutes late. When this isn't something that you were told or expected to do (let alone what you see other people doing) for the first 6 months of working there, it becomes a stressful work environment. Your options to work from home diminish (or completely disappear) and you end up with extra work/projects that aren't even in your job description or business objectives, just for the sake of chaining you to your desk. Middle and upper management are extremely political and take part in these immature games. They expect you to be at your desk 24/7, even as far as expecting you to come in early/leave late without wanting to pay overtime. Oh, and yes they are watching you like a hawk (even though they say they aren't monitoring you). I don't believe this is company wide, but this was my experience working here and I can confidently say ESPN looks like a great place to work, but it really isn't. Like many other reviewers have mentioned, the excitement and shine wears off REALLY quickly, so be prepared to be treated like you are easily replaceable by the lack of trust and respect you end up with over time.

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5.0
Feb 12, 2026
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Pros

A very collaborative and supportive environment with plenty of space to grow within the company.

Cons

Work weekends and some nights, for those not interested in those types of hours.

2.0
May 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

You get to work on cool events and shows.

Cons

But the pay will be low and you work long hours. Takes a long time to get promoted even after good work. Regardless, the structure is better when you get OT, verses not. If you won't, some other person will

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