SerpApi.Org
ESPN host and analyst Stephen A. Smith has made it clear that he's unhappy with the latest round of layoffs at the company and criticized the decision to remove First Take co-worker Ryan Clark.
Several high-profile ESPN staffers were informed on Tuesday that they were no longer with the company, and behind-the-scenes staff were also affected by the mass layoff. Clark, who was estimated to earn $2 million a year, learned his fate during a live recording of NFL Live.
Longtime baseball announcer Karl Ravech and NFL insider Tom Pelissero were also let go by ESPN, with changes in effect after the NFL Network takeover. Smith addressed the layoffs in a video posted to his YouTube channel and insisted he was unhappy.
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The layoffs of several popular staff members have led to Smith and Pat McAfee facing criticism, as both are among the highest-paid. McAfee is negotiating a contract extension reportedly worth between $60 million and $65 million per year, which would make him the highest-paid personality in sports.
Smith also earns $21 million annually, and fans alleged that he and McAfee were responsible for layoffs elsewhere. On Tuesday, Smith claimed that Clark's removal was painful to hear and described his feelings online.
"It hurts. It really does," Smith said of Clark's removal. "I understand the business. I understand layoffs come. I understand that there have been other names that have been a part of it in the past and there's going to be names in the future.
"Hell, one of them might be mine. I am not happy about this decision one bit. The bosses know I'm not happy about this decision.
"I've made that very, very clear. But it's also important that myself and anybody else in the world of business be grown-ups and understand that these are the kind of things that happen when layoffs happen."
Smith then said that ESPN spoke with him about Clark's future before the eventual layoff. Smith campaigned for Clark to be retained, but ultimately, the network made its own decision.
While Smith is sad to see Clark go, he is confident that the former NFL star will land on his feet elsewhere. "I'm not sorry for you because I know you going to be just fine," Smith said.
"I'm sorry for us that we ain't gonna have the opportunity to continue to have you on the airwaves for ESPN and specifically First Take. It ain't going to be the same without you."
McAfee also addressed the ESPN layoffs live on his network show, after receiving heavy backlash given his deal and extension talks. "We hate any time this happens. Obviously, this is terrible. We don’t like that,” McAfee said.
"But we are very honored that we are still partnered with ESPN and Disney for the good of sport and the future... There’s billions and billions of dollars in these companies, and hard decisions have to get made. And we don’t like any of them, and we hope we’re an asset to the company going forward."
