Jalen Rose, Max Kellerman among 20 laid off by Disney's ESPN

June 30 (UPI) -- Longtime sports TV hosts and analysts Jalen Rose and Max Kellerman are among some 20 people cut loose by Disney's ESPN under a staff reduction announced Friday.

Those dismissed, including Jeff Van Gundy, Keyshawn Johnson, Suzy Kolber and LaPhonso Ellis, will be paid for the remainder of their contracts, an ESPN source said.

ESPN said the "difficult decisions" were made to meet "financial targets."

"Given the current environment, ESPN has determined it necessary to identify some additional cost savings in the area of public-facing commentator salaries, and that process has begun," ESPN said in a statement.

"This is an extremely challenging process, involving individuals who have had tremendous impact on our company. These difficult decisions, based more on overall efficiency than merit, will help us meet our financial targets and ensure future growth."

Van Gundy, 61, was a member of ESPN's top NBA broadcast team, along with Mark Jackson and Mike Breen. The former NBA coach was with ESPN for 16 years.

"Today, I join the many hard-working colleagues who have been laid off. Heartbreaking -- but 27 years at ESPN was a good run," Kolber wrote on Twitter. "Longevity for a woman in this business is something I'm especially proud of."

Friday's layoffs mark another round of notable cuts for ESPN and its parent.

Disney CEO Bob Iger announced in February that ESPN and Disney would cut 7,000 jobs as part of a $5.5 billion effort to cut costs in 2023.

ESPN terminated 150 employees in 2017 in a previous wave of cuts.