Zach Lowe’s layoff from ESPN in 2024 marked a pivotal moment in sports media. Known for his deep analysis and unique storytelling, Lowe’s work at Grantland and ESPN helped reshape how fans and media cover the NBA. ESPN’s decision to part ways with one of their most respected analysts sent shockwaves through the industry, symbolizing broader trends in sports journalism. This has left everyone guessing about Zach Lowe’s future.
NBA Business: What’s Next For Zach Lowe
With ESPN continuing to downsize its talent pool, letting go of high-profile names like Robert Griffin III and Sam Ponder, the media giant appears focused on trimming costs. What does the future hold for Zach Lowe? In an age where many journalists move towards independent media platforms, Lowe’s departure may be the beginning of a new, potentially rewarding chapter.
Lowe’s Legacy at ESPN
Zach Lowe built his reputation as one of the best basketball minds in journalism. His in-depth, stats-based articles and podcasts became must-reads for NBA enthusiasts. He gained a following during his time at Grantland, the sports and pop culture site founded by Bill Simmons. Grantland showcased Lowe’s long-form writing, highlighting his ability to dive deep into team dynamics and player tendencies.
When ESPN shut down Grantland, Lowe transitioned to ESPN’s primary NBA coverage, but his analytical style remained intact. Whether breaking down defensive schemes or offering deep insights on trade rumors, Lowe consistently brought a fresh, thoughtful perspective to basketball analysis. This helped solidify him as a leading voice in NBA journalism. Yet, as ESPN faces financial struggles, the network has increasingly looked for ways to cut costs. Despite Lowe’s talent, the network’s desire to tighten its budget resulted in his layoff. For fans of in-depth NBA coverage, this is a significant loss.
Zach Lowe’s Future: Move to Another Major Media Company
Given Lowe’s ties to Bill Simmons, transitioning to The Ringer feels possible. Alternatively, with NBC starting to broadcast NBA games in the 2025-26 season, a move to NBC could make sense for Lowe. This would allow Lowe to have a similar role as a top analyst for a prominent media company. While they don’t broadcast games major media companies including The Athletic and Yahoo Sports, are also possibilities.
Zach Lowe’s Future: The Independent Route
With his departure, many speculate that Zach Lowe could follow the path taken by other prominent journalists: the independent route. Platforms like Substack and Patreon have allowed writers to control their content, engage directly with their audience, and, most importantly, generate revenue without relying on traditional media outlets.
Several high-profile writers have transitioned successfully to Substack, which allows them to publish newsletters directly to subscribers. Journalists such as Marc Stein and Justin Russo have found success on this platform, where readers pay for access to premium content. Lowe, with his established following, could easily bring his fans to such a space, delivering his high-quality NBA content without corporate oversight.
Substack could give Lowe the freedom to continue his long-form, analytical writing, while also allowing him to produce more podcast episodes or even launch a new video series. As traditional media struggles to find a balance between quality and costs, independent platforms offer a more flexible, direct-to-audience model.
Zach Lowe’s Future: Podcasts and YouTube Channels
Another potential avenue for Lowe is podcasting or launching his own YouTube channel. While he hosted The Lowe Post podcast at ESPN, an independent version of his podcast could offer him even greater creative control. Podcasts continue to grow in popularity, and for someone with Lowe’s expertise and loyal audience, a podcast would likely be a success.
Similarly, YouTube provides another opportunity for Lowe to reach fans through video content. Channels such as J.J. Redick’s “Old Man and the Three“ have found major success, blending interviews with deep sports analysis. Lowe’s strong interview skills, coupled with his deep knowledge of the game, could allow him to thrive in this space as well.
Both podcasting and YouTube allow creators to monetize their content through ads, sponsorships, and paid subscriptions. With his industry connections and strong following, Lowe could easily turn these platforms into a significant revenue stream.
The Future of Sports Journalism
Zach Lowe’s departure from ESPN is a sign of the changing landscape in sports journalism. As media companies like ESPN cut costs, many respected journalists are finding alternative ways to engage their audience. The shift to independent platforms such as Substack, Patreon, and podcasting allows writers and analysts to bypass traditional gatekeepers and build direct relationships with their readers or listeners.
For Lowe, this presents an exciting opportunity. While his time at ESPN may have come to an end, his career could evolve in new and interesting ways. Whether he chooses Substack, podcasts, YouTube, or another route, one thing is certain: Lowe’s insightful analysis will continue to find an audience, even if it’s not through ESPN.
In the broader sense, Lowe’s layoff highlights the growing trend in media where audiences increasingly seek out independent voices. Fans of sports, and especially the NBA, have demonstrated a willingness to support creators directly, valuing in-depth, thoughtful analysis over superficial content. For Lowe, the future seems bright, with numerous options to continue influencing the sports world in meaningful ways.
The Last Word
Zach Lowe’s career may be at a crossroads, but in today’s media environment, he has more options than ever for his future. From launching his own platform to leveraging podcasts and video content, Lowe can continue providing the deep NBA coverage fans have come to love. His layoff from ESPN could very well be the catalyst for the next, perhaps more successful, chapter of his career.
