ESPN swung the axe this week, and the blade came down on some familiar names.
The network parted ways with former MVP quarterback Cam Newton, longtime NFL analyst Ryan Clark, 33-year play-by-play veteran Karl Ravech, NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, and NFL Network analyst Charles Davis in a round of layoffs tied to Disney’s absorption of NFL Network. ESPN acquired the network in late January as part of a deal that also gave the NFL a 10 percent stake in ESPN itself.
Injury expert Stephania Bell, an 18-year ESPN veteran, and SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd were also let go, according to Front Office Sports.
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro confirmed the cuts in a memo to employees Tuesday morning, obtained by The Independent. “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.”
Most of the reductions are reportedly coming from the NFL Network side, now that Disney and ESPN control the operation.
Newton spent two seasons at ESPN as a debate partner for Stephen A. Smith on “First Take,” and last season was elevated to replace Shannon Sharpe as Smith’s primary Monday co-host — the show’s highest-rated day of the week during football season. OutKick, which first reported Newton’s exit, noted that the relationship between Newton and Smith had grown strained last spring after Newton invited Jason Whitlock onto his podcast. Smith has said he “hates with a passion” Whitlock, who cited what he called fabrications in Smith’s 2023 memoir. Newton responded that he didn’t challenge Whitlock because there was “nothing to correct.”
ESPN will look for a permanent replacement for Newton on Monday editions of the show.
Clark’s departure carried its own friction. The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported that ESPN executives had “soured on Clark” over his on-air conduct, a dynamic that peaked with a September incident involving fellow analyst Peter Schrager. During a segment defending CeeDee Lamb’s performance in the Cowboys’ season-opening loss, Clark told Schrager, “That’s the non-player in you.” Schrager pushed back. Clark responded, “Peter, what I need for you to do is not get mad and let me finish.” Clark later issued a public apology, but the exchange lingered with decision-makers.
Clark was also making more than $2 million per year, according to The Athletic, and had taken contract negotiations public in 2024 when his deal was expiring. “The season is over. The deal is up. Time to make a decision,” he tweeted at the time.
The timing of Clark’s notification drew its own attention. ESPN planned to inform him Tuesday morning, but after word leaked to media outlets Monday afternoon, the network chose to tell him during a break on “NFL Live” — minutes after he had appeared on air. Clark did not finish the episode.
Clark addressed the ouster Tuesday on Instagram, posting a workout video with the caption: “Proof of Life…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 also posted on X: “Sending prayers and love to all those laid off today by ESPN. So many of you have poured your life into that company, & I know how you’re feeling right now.”
Ravech, who had been the voice of “Sunday Night Baseball” until ESPN ceded those duties to NBC this season, was behind the microphone for Dodgers-Phillies on Monday night. When contacted by The Athletic on Tuesday morning, Ravech said he had not yet been informed of his status. He continued calling MLB games right up to that final broadcast — three decades at the network, and nobody tapped him on the shoulder until the paperwork was ready.
Pelissero joined NFL Network in 2017 and became one of its top insiders alongside Ian Rapoport, who recently signed a long-term deal. Pelissero is now free to become another outlet’s top NFL insider. Davis, also CBS Sports’ lead college football color commentator, retains his CBS role unaffected.
ESPN declined to provide further comment.
When you’ve been around the game long enough, you know the business side doesn’t care about your highlight reel. The film doesn’t lie — and neither do the balance sheets.
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