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ESPN is continuing its latest round of layoffs this week, with the network letting go of broadcaster Karl Ravech, according to a report from The Athletic.
Ravech has been at ESPN since 1993 and was the lead play-by-play voice for its baseball coverage. Ravech called the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, July 20.
The 61-year-old Ravech has also called college basketball and anchored SportsCenter during his tenure with ESPN. According to The Athletic, Ravech had not been told of his impending job status when contacted by the website.
Ravech is just one of those laid off, as NFL analyst Ryan Clark was also sent packing in an ongoing announcement of terminations that impacted various on-air personalities. Clark, a former NFL safety, also worked on Monday, July 20, during an appearance for “NFL Live” and was told midway through the broadcast that his services were no longer needed.
The Athletic reports that the network planned to lay off Clark on July 21. That timetable was pushed up as the network wanted him to hear the news in person rather than read it online.
“Over the past several months, we’ve made significant progress integrating the NFL assets that we acquired into ESPN,” Chairman Jimmy Pitaro wrote in a memo to the company. “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’s memo continued, “While most of the job impacts are tied to the acquisition, we will also notify colleagues in other parts of the company today that their positions have been impacted. We are committed to treating employees with compassion and respect and to providing support as they navigate this transition.”
Here’s the latest on the high-profile transitions at ESPN:
In the midst of ESPN’s latest round of layoffs, one prominent college football analyst has signed on to remain with the network moving forward. ESPN announced on Monday, July 20 that it has agreed to a multi-year contract extension with Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow that will keep the former Florida quarterback in his role on SEC Nation, the SEC Network’s weekly Saturday morning pregame show that he has appeared on for the last decade, in addition to doing work on College Football Live and SportsCenter.
Cam Newton, the former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL MVP, won’t be returning to the debate show “First Take.” The news, first reported by Outkick, ends Newton’s two-year stint with the network after he replaced Shannon Sharpe as Stephen A. Smith’s primary debate partner several times a week.
Others in the ESPN stable expected to be let go, according to Front Office Sports, are SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd, who joined the network in 1997, and injury expert/fantasy analyst Stephania Bell. Bell, who is a licensed physical therapist, was a featured player in ESPN’s fantasy football coverage. Bart Scott, a former NFL player who was part of the network as an NFL analyst and a radio co-host, also will not be returning.
Clark, who was laid off by the network on July 20, responded to the news via social media. Clark was reportedly making $2 million at the time of his dismissal.
“Proof of Life…Before the madness of yesterday, I woke up, got in my Tundra, drove to Planet Fitness, and got to work,” Clark wrote on Instagram. “The rest of the day was eventful, but the journey continues. 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!
He also posted a message on X saying: “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. My hope is as this door closes another opens for you all. God bless!”
The NFL Network, which was purchased by ESPN earlier this year, is also expected to lose key contributors. NFL insider Tom Pelissero is also expected to be laid off, according to The Athletic.
ESPN still has NFL news-breakers Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport on the roster. That deal with ESPN also gave the NFL a 10% stake in the Bristol, Connecticut-headquartered network.
Charles Davis, who has been part of the NFL draft coverage for NFL Network, was also let go. Davis is still at CBS Sports, where he will be the top college football analyst this season.
