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The graphic was shown on Stephen A. Smith's personal YouTube channel and podcast, just as soon as he offered an ominous observation about ESPN's business model, only hours after the sports broadcasting giant initiated another round of layoffs.
It listed out nine other times since 2009 in which ESPN had reportedly downsized its staff en masse, with nearly 1,500 combined employees presented as having lost their jobs during that time.
"This ain’t the days when ESPN could just hire and hire and hire some more, without having to let go or lay off anybody," Smith said. "Those days are long gone."
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Stephen A. Smith defends Ryan Clark after ESPN layoffs
Smith's comments, from an episode of "Straight Shooter with Stephen A. Smith" released on Tuesday, July 21, mostly focused on his unhappiness with ESPN's decision to let go of NFL analyst Ryan Clark. The 'First Take' star called it a "rough day" for ESPN and noted he was asked by network executives for his opinion on the potential move to let go of Clark before it was executed.
"Of course I said we have to keep him," Smith emphasized.
But in the midst of his defense for Clark, Smith also offered commentary about the realities facing ESPN in 2026.
"I don’t get to make those decisions and I don’t get to ignore the fiscal and financial circumstances and ultimate ramifications that come with the job," said Smith, whose YouTube channel is independent from his work at ESPN. "That’s for the dudes way above me, and the ladies. Decisions like this, I imagine, don’t come easy, and we all got to be grownups because regardless of the disgust with the decision that was made, you understand they have to be made. It just hurts."
“The point that I’m making," he noted, "is that these kind of things happen all the time, especially in this day and age."
Stephen A. Smith acknowledges ESPN business realities
The exact number of ESPN employees laid off as part of Tuesday's downsizing is not known yet. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro wrote in an internal memo on Tuesday that most of the job losses in this round of layoffs were related to ESPN's recent merger with NFL Network.
Smith emphasized, "the bosses know I'm not happy" with Clark's dismissal and acknowledged, "you’re going to hear about a lot more folks being laid off, people that are my colleagues, my contemporaries."
But he also made clear on a day when so many lost their jobs at ESPN, he wasn't ready to be critical of his employers.
"I can disagree with my employers. What you’re not going to get me to do is insult my employers," Smith said. "Business is business, and whether we like it or not, those people who made the decisions, whether it’s a Ryan Clark or a host of other people, are paid to make those decisions. It’s an unenviable position to be in."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stephen A. Smith weighs in on ESPN layoffs: 'Those days are long gone'
