SerpApi.Org
Jemele Hill had multiple problems with ESPN's layoffs this week.
The former ESPN star, who rose up the ranks of the Worldwide Leader in Sports, ultimately hosting the 6 p.m. E.T. SportsCenter, has since gone out on her own. But she remains close with several people at ESPN, including many who were let go on Monday and Tuesday.
Hill was not happy with ESPN for letting go of NFL analyst Ryan Clark, whom she considers a friend, on Monday. Clark, who had been with ESPN for a decade, was making around $2 million per year. He was let go in a new wave of layoffs that hit ESPN on Monday and Tuesday.
Hill's problems with ESPN aren't just about who they laid off, though. It's how they laid those people off - and how the news broke.
Ultimately, ESPN laid off Clark during the middle of Monday afternoon's "NFL Live" episode. ESPN learned that the news of Clark's layoff was about to hit online. So, they chose to let him know during the middle of a show, rather than waiting for him to find out on social media.
Bobby Burack of Outkick was set to break the news. Ultimately, this is a major problem for Hill. The former ESPN star has said that she finds Outkick to be a rather "disgusting" outlet, referring to it as a "rag," as it leans more right-wing.
"If someone from inside of ESPN gave Outkick the story about Ryan being let go, then that feels more nefarious to me," she said.
"If feels more nefarious, because it feels like they're trying to create a narrative."
Outkick responds to the criticism
Burack chose to respond on social media, making it clear that he has several sources within and outside of ESPN.
"Jemele Hill did a two-hour live stream speculating 'how' I got the scoop and then said she 'can't wait' until I am fired and 'will laugh so hard she needs to go to the hospital.' I have these people so triggered right now. And TBH, I didn't even try. I just reported a story," he wrote on X.
Nothing is ever good when layoffs are happening, but this whole week has been pretty messy at ESPN.
