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“These companies don’t care about the people who make their business possible, and everyone can see it,” the former CNN correspondent opined.
Key points
- Ryan Clark was laid off from ESPN on Monday, reportedly in the middle of an NFL Live broadcast.
- Don Lemon slammed Clark’s dismissal in a TikTok video.
- The former CNN correspondent said that “something very similar happened to me” at his previous job.
Ryan Clark learned that he was laid off from ESPN in the middle of a broadcast — and Don Lemon isn’t happy about it.
The former CNN reporter shared his two cents on Clark’s unceremonious exit from ESPN, which came as part of a wave of layoffs by the network’s parent company Disney, in a video posted on his TikTok page on Wednesday.
“Imagine getting fired in front of millions of people while you’re in the middle of a broadcast,” Lemon said. “That’s what ESPN did to Ryan Clark this week. And I know that layoffs happen, networks restructure. I get it. But the way that this one went down?”
Lemon opined that the move was indicative of how media conglomerates disrespect their employees. “I mean, it shows how these companies treat their staff,” he said. “ESPN didn’t need to cut Ryan Clark at that exact moment, but they were scared that the story would break online before they got to control the narrative. So instead of calling him on the phone or having a private meeting, they let him find out in the middle of a broadcast.”
Entertainment Weekly has reached out to ESPN for comment.
Lemon likened Clark’s dismissal from ESPN to his own exit from CNN in 2023. “Now, just imagine that happening to you,” he said. “I can imagine it happening to me because something very similar happened to me. He spent over 11 years at that network.”
Lemon broke the news of his CNN departure on social media, claiming, “After 17 years at CNN I would have thought that someone in management would have had the decency to tell me directly. At no time was I ever given indication that I would not be able to continue to do the work I loved at the network.”
CNN denied Lemon’s characterization of the network’s communication, claiming, “He was offered an opportunity to meet with management but instead released a statement on Twitter.”
In his TikTok, Lemon went on to explain his distaste for Clark’s dismissal. “Here’s my problem with all of this: We keep hearing that these big media corporations want authenticity from their talent, but when it comes down to treating talent like a human being, suddenly, it’s just business,” he said. “That’s what they said about me: ‘It’s just a business decision.’ That’s what they told my colleagues.”
Lemon also listed several other ESPN commentators who were reportedly laid off this week, including Cam Newton, Charles Davis, and Bart Scott. “Guys who gave this network everything are being treated like disposable items,” he said. “This kind of stuff is why talent is flocking to independent media and starting their own shows. These companies don’t care about the people who make their business possible, and everyone can see it. And you can see it in the ratings. Trust.”
Clark played safety on four NFL teams between 2002 and 2014, and won the Super Bowl with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2008. He joined ESPN in 2015, and appeared on shows like SportsCenter, NFL Live, and First Take. The New York Times reported that he learned that he was laid off during Monday’s episode of NFL Live, and that he did not finish the show upon learning the news.
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Clark responded to his dismissal on social media on Tuesday. “Sending prayers and love to all those laid off today by ESPN. So many of you have poured your life into that company, & I know how you’re feeling right now,” he wrote. “My hope is as this door closes another opens for you all. God bless!”
Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly
