Ryan Clark has been laid off after more than a decade at ESPN, sources confirmed to Front Office Sports.
An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment. The Athletic first broke the news of ESPN’s decision to let Clark go.
The move is the beginning of a round of layoffs happening at ESPN this week, which FOS previously reported would affect both talent and behind-the-scenes employees. ESPN’s layoffs were expected to include some on the NFL side, as the acquisition of NFL Network has created overlap.
Last September, FOS reported Clark could be on “thin ice” at ESPN after a series of apologies, including an on-air tiff with Peter Schrager during an episode of Get Up that was later resolved.
Clark was an analyst on Monday Night Countdown—the pregame show for Monday Night Football—as well as a regular on studio programming including Get Up, First Take, and NFL Live. In addition to his work at ESPN, he also hosts The Pivot Podcast alongside fellow ex-NFLers Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder.
Taking to social media on Tuesday morning, Clark addressed the ongoing layoffs at his now-former employer.
“Sending prayers and love to all those laid off today by ESPN,” he wrote on X. “So many of you have poured your life into that company, & I know how you’re feeling right now. My hope is as this door closes another opens for you all. God bless!”
On Tuesday morning, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro addressed the company in a memo that can be read here, along with a full list of talent known to have been affected by the layoffs.
