PFF Layoffs: Cris Collinsworth’s 9-Figure Deal With Teamworks Triggers Mass Layoffs at Pro Football Focus

Mumbai, April 1: Sports technology firm Teamworks announced the acquisition of Pro Football Focus's (PFF) data and analytics platform on Monday in a reported nine-figure deal. The transition, however, has been marked by significant internal restructuring, with PFF leadership confirming mass layoffs during an all-hands meeting. The sale, orchestrated by PFF majority owner and NBC broadcaster Cris Collinsworth, marks a major pivot for the 20-year-old analytics pioneer, shifting its focus toward integrated AI-driven sports operating systems while drastically reducing its content and social media workforce.

Restructuring and Staff Reductions at PFF

According to reports from Front Office Sports, PFF informed its employees on Monday, March 30, that only approximately half of the current staff would be retained following the merger. The layoffs appear to heavily target the company's editorial and social media divisions. Oracle Layoffs: Global Job Cuts Begin as Employees Receive 6 AM Emails Terminating Employment, Reports Emerge Worldwide.

Trevor Sikkema Confirms BEING Laid Off by PFF

While the majority of employees transitioning to Teamworks are specialised in data engineering and backend analytics, several high-profile content creators confirmed their departures on social media. Among those affected are podcast host Trevor Sikkema, editor John Owning, and fantasy football analyst Jon Macri, along with social media producers Mike Kennedy and Beckett Mesko.

I Was Part of the PFF Layoffs Today, Says Mike Kennedy

The Teamworks Integration

The acquisition is centered on PFF’s enterprise business - the vertical that provides advanced grading and charting data to all 32 NFL teams and over 100 NCAA Division I programs. By folding PFF's data into Teamworks’ existing software suite, the companies aim to create a "single source" for team personnel and game-day strategy. "Integrating PFF’s trusted game data with Teamworks’ AI-driven operating system gives football executives a single source for performance, game day strategy, personnel strategy, and long-term planning," Collinsworth said in a statement. Under the new agreement, Collinsworth will remain involved as a Teamworks shareholder.

Impact of Layoffs on Consumer Content

While PFF's consumer-facing business - which includes its subscription-based player grades and draft guides - was not technically part of the Teamworks acquisition, the departure of key editorial staff suggests a significant shift in how the brand will engage with the public moving forward. For the last decade, PFF’s consumer growth was bolstered by its visibility on NBC’s Sunday Night Football, where Collinsworth’s majority ownership helped integrate PFF’s signature player grades into national broadcasts. It remains unclear how the reduced content team will maintain the brand's high-volume output of articles, podcasts, and social media engagement. Oracle Layoffs: Employees Report Sudden Job Cuts Across India, 18% Workforce May Be Affected Globally.

Evolution of Pro Football Focus

Founded in 2006, Pro Football Focus initially gained a cult following among die-hard fans for its granular film-study approach to player evaluation. Its influence skyrocketed after Collinsworth purchased a majority stake in 2014, transforming the company from a niche statistics site into a standard-bearer for football analytics. The sale to Teamworks represents the latest consolidation in the sports tech industry, where specialised data providers are increasingly being absorbed into larger "operating systems" that manage everything from athlete communication to scouting and recruitment.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 01, 2026 11:09 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).