ESPN has laid off Marc Stein, Henry Abbott, Chad Ford and a number of other NBA writers.

Stein had been with ESPN since 2000 and was a central part of their NBA coverage as a reporter, writer and on television.

Abbott founded TrueHoop and was eventually acquired by ESPN. Abbott was responsible for fostering the career of countless NBA writers.

Ford will continue with ESPN through this year's NBA draft in June and then leave the company.

Ethan Sherwood Strauss, Calvin Watkins and Justin Verrier were also laid off as part of the company-wide downsizing. 

ESPN previously had parted ways with prominent NBA reporters such as Ric Bucher, Chris Broussard and Chris Sheridan.