ESPN part ways with Ryan Clark, wider layoffs expected
AP News • • sports
Key Points:
- ESPN is conducting its first major layoffs in three years, primarily due to its acquisition of NFL Network and related digital assets last year, which included NFL Fantasy and RedZone distribution rights.
- The acquisition, finalized in April after regulatory approval, resulted in NFL Network employees joining ESPN; the layoffs mainly affect production and behind-the-scenes staff, but some on-air talent like NFL analyst Ryan Clark were also impacted.
- Ryan Clark was informed of his layoff during a live broadcast of "NFL Live," and he publicly expressed support for affected colleagues on social media.
- Other notable layoffs include longtime ESPN baseball broadcaster Karl Ravech and NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, while insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter recently received contract extensions.
- These ESPN layoffs are part of broader cost-cutting measures occurring across the Walt Disney Company this week.
