NFL pundit Ryan Clark informed of ESPN firing mid-show amid wider layoffs
Summary
ESPN is laying off many employees for the first time in three years after buying NFL Network and other NFL digital assets last year. Some on-air personalities, including NFL analyst Ryan Clark, were informed of their layoffs during live broadcasts. The cuts also affect staff across other parts of ESPN and are part of wider job reductions at the Walt Disney Company.Key Facts
- ESPN acquired NFL Network, NFL Fantasy, and RedZone rights last year, giving the NFL a 10% ownership stake in ESPN.
- The NFL Network employees officially joined ESPN on April 1, following government approval in January.
- ESPN’s chairman said the layoffs are mostly related to integrating the NFL assets and restructuring the company for the future.
- Ryan Clark learned about his layoff while appearing live on the show NFL Live.
- Other ESPN on-air staff affected include Karl Ravech, Tom Pelissero, and reportedly Cam Newton.
- Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter, NFL insiders, recently received contract extensions and were not laid off.
- The layoffs are part of a broader reduction in staff across the Walt Disney Company this week.
- ESPN has not previously had such a large round of layoffs in the past three years.
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