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ESPN had minutes to decide how to handle the news that Ryan Clark would no longer be with the network after July 21.
The problem for the "Worldwide Leader" was that it was July 20.
A news outlet reached out to ESPN – for comment on a story saying that Clark was expected to be laid off soon – after the 4 p.m. ET edition of "NFL Live" started airing on Monday, a person with knowledge of the situation told USA TODAY Sports. The person was granted anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.
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Clark, the former ESPN analyst who was among the several high-profile layoffs by the network this week, was part of that day's "Live" cast. The inquiring outlet set a deadline of 5 p.m., when the show ended, for a response.
ESPN executives decided to inform Clark of his eventual layoff during a commercial break halfway through the program rather than have him learn of it online after the show ended – or during, potentially. Clark was not in an ESPN studio and was recording the show from a remote location.
Television breaks are normally three to five minutes and this one was no different – except for Clark learning that he would no longer be employed by ESPN.
Ryan Clark reacts to ESPN layoff
Clark responded July 22 to a TMZ article describing the interaction as him not being forced off the show.
"I wasn't forced? I ask, 'should I be done now?'" Clark wrote on social media. "The answer was 'yes'."
"Sending prayers and love to all those laid off today by ESPN," Clark previously wrote on social media July 21. "So many of you have poured your life into that company, & I know how you’re feeling right now."
A former NFL defensive back, Clark had worked at ESPN for more than a decade and was a regular analyst on top network shows such as "SportsCenter," "Monday Night Countdown" and "NFL Live."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inside ESPN's decision to tell Ryan Clark he'd be laid off during live show
