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ESPN has been labeled as "cowards" after Ryan Clark was informed that he was being fired while in the middle of filming for the network.
The often outspoken Clark, who regularly featured on ESPN’s biggest programs including First Take and SportsCenter, was on set Monday for a routine taping of NFL Live. He recorded several segments, including one discussing Isaiah Likely’s role with the New York Giants, which was later shared on ESPN’s NFL X account.
However, before the show concluded, Clark was reportedly informed that ESPN was moving on from him. The analyst did not return to the set after receiving the news, with his sudden departure triggering a major reaction online as people questioned who could be next to leave the network.
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Emmanuel Acho, who was himself dismissed by Fox Sports last year, criticized the decision and accused television executives of acting “cowardly” by informing Clark of his firing while he was in the middle of recording the show.
"More often than not, executives are cowards" said Acho. "Former athletes, we're used to tough information. Just tell it to us! [We've been] cut before, [we've had] broken bones before, had surgeries before. Ryan Clark notably couldn't play a game in Denver, Colorado, because he had [an autoimmune disease]… we're used to tough things! Just tell us!"
Fans were also shocked at the decision. "ESPN POSTED THIS VIDEO OF RYAN CLARK LIVE ON THE NETWORK… AT THE EXACT SAME TIME REPORTS EMERGED THAT THEY WERE FIRING HIM. DIABOLICAL" said one X user.
While former Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Gerald McCoy added: "Controversial takes, issues with fans, whatever you want to say about Ryan Clark, make sure yall say he was phenomenal at his job. Yall don’t like or agree with what he said or how he went about it, but the art of delivering, he was phenomenal and I stand on that. Hate to see this!! Somebody about to get a great one."
The Athletic reported that further cuts could be coming within ESPN’s NFL department following the network’s $3 billion acquisition of NFL Network earlier this year, a deal that also gave the league a stake in ESPN.
The network currently pays significant sums to its biggest on-air personalities, with Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee earning a combined $37 million annually. Smith signed a five-year, $100 million extension last year, while McAfee is reportedly on around $17 million per year, with his deal potentially increasing due to the popularity of his show.
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ESPN has already begun reducing its roster of high-profile talent, with veteran baseball broadcaster Karl Ravech the latest major name set to depart. The network has made several notable cuts in recent years, including the exits of NBA analyst Zach Lowe, Robert Griffin III and Samantha Ponder in 2024.
A year earlier, ESPN carried out another major round of layoffs, cutting more than 20 prominent figures including Jeff Van Gundy, Suzy Kolber, Steve Young and Max Kellerman.
