ESPN cuts ties with NFL analyst Ryan Clark, wider layoffs expected Tuesday: Sources
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- ESPN has parted ways with NFL analyst Ryan Clark, informing him of the decision during a live broadcast of “NFL Live” due to concerns about media leaks.
- Clark, who earned over $2 million annually and had been with ESPN for more than a decade, was previously expected to play a significant role in ESPN’s upcoming Super Bowl LXI coverage.
- Internal tensions and issues with Clark’s on- and off-air conduct, including a notable incident with colleague Peter Schrager, contributed to ESPN executives’ decision to end his tenure.
- The move is part of broader layoffs at ESPN and NFL Network, following ESPN’s acquisition of NFL Network and related assets in a $3 billion deal that gave the NFL a 10 percent stake in ESPN.
- Clark, a former NFL player with a 13-season career, had recently negotiated a contract extension with ESPN in early 2024 but faced uncertainty about his role since February.
