Clark’s departure is part of a wider group of layoffs, the company said in a memo to employees on Tuesday
Credit: Michael Reaves/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- ESPN is parting ways with NFL analyst Ryan Clark
- The former NFL safety learned that he had been laid off midway through his appearance on NFL Live on Monday
- Clark’s departure is part of a wider group of layoffs coming on Tuesday, according to the network
Ryan Clark is no longer an NFL analyst at ESPN — and he learned the news midway through his appearance on NFL Live on Monday.
The former NFL safety did not finish the program, and is part of a wider group of layoffs coming on Tuesday, July 21, according to The Athletic.
Clark, 46, was informed about his departure during the show because the network was reportedly concerned about a leak and that he would hear before he was officially told by ESPN, The Athletic reported.
In addition to the retired Pittsburgh Steelers player, ESPN veteran Karl Ravech and Tom Pelissero, NFL insider at ESPN’s sister platform NFL Network, are also expected to be let go, according to Front Office Sports.
The layoffs to come will include on-air personalities based at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., and a larger number of on and off-air employees at NFL Network, per The Athletic.
In a memo obtained by PEOPLE that was sent to employees from ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro on Tuesday, Pitaro termed the layoffs as “difficult decisions.”
“Over the past several months, we’ve made significant progress integrating the NFL assets that we acquired into ESPN,” Pitaro wrote. “Throughout this process, we have taken the time to carefully evaluate our collective teams, resources and organizational structure to best position us for the future. As a result, we had to make some difficult decisions about job impacts that we will be communicating today.”
Pitaro added that ESPN employees would be notified today if their position has been impacted.
“Even in moments like these, the strength of ESPN comes from our people, our teamwork and our shared mission to serve sports fans,” he concluded in the memo.
Credit: Greg Fiume/Getty
For Clark, the news that he would be moving on from ESPN after 11 years was “eventful.”
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In a post on Instagram on Tuesday, the former LSU standout shared his perspective — as well as his workout routine.
“Proof of Life,” Clark began. “Before the madness of yesterday, I woke up, got in my Tundra, drove to Planet Fitness, and got to work. The rest of the day was eventful, but the journey continues.”
He added, “My peace is with God, and my humility comes from within. I’ll continue to build myself so the world can never strip me of what’s real. Get moving today y’all!”
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