Sioux Falls based Midco Sports announces layoffs

March 27, 2024

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KFGO)–There’s word today that Midco Sports has laid off a number of employees, including Fargo-based on-air play-by-play announcers Brian Shawn and Jody Norstedt.

In a statement from the Sioux Falls internet and cable television provider, Midco said it plans to enhance streamed content along with content on its linear channels, Midco Sports and Midco Sports Two.

Midco says some of the laid off employees may be used in a freelance capacity.

Midco Sports has contracts for University of North Dakota hockey, football and men’s and women’s basketball, South Dakota State and University of South Dakota athletics, and Augustana University men’s hockey.

A statement from Midco and obtained by KWAT News reads:

“Next season, Midco Sports will focus on enhancing our streamed content on Midco Sports Plus and our university partnership content on our linear channels. At that time, high school sports and some original programming will no longer be produced by Midco Sports or broadcast on our linear channels.

Because of this, we, unfortunately, had to make the difficult decision to reduce the number of full-time team members on the Midco Sports team. In the future, the impacted team members could be affiliated with Midco Sports in a freelance capacity.

We’ve openly communicated the changes to our partner schools (UND, USD, SDSU and Augustana). We’re in those partnerships for the long-haul, and we will continue to focus on those relationships.”