Fans shocked by ESPN’s ‘diabolical’ move…
Many couldn’t wrap their heads round ESPN’s firing of NFL analyst Ryan Clark while he was on-air during “NFL Live” on Monday.
Clark — who gained a Sports Emmy in May 2023 for Outstanding Personality/Studio Analyst for this work at the Worldwide Leader — discovered out that he was being laid off by ESPN mid-show and didn’t return to the program, The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand reported.
ESPN promoted a clip of Clark discussing tight end Isaiah Likely presumably changing into a key part for the Giants during his distant look on Monday’s installment of “NFL Live,” and some called it a “diabolical” move.
“This is so wrong,” another X consumer posted.
Others added that ESPN acted “unprofessional” in the means it parted methods with Clark, who had been with network since 2015.
Retired NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho, who left ESPN in 2020 for FS1, criticized ESPN and said it was “cowardly” to terminate Clark mid-segment.
Clark, who also appeared often on ESPN’s reveals, such as “First Take” and “Get Up,” was making more than $2 million per 12 months, according to The Athletic.
Ryan Clark of ESPN Monday Night Countdown on set before the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on November 11, 2024 in Inglewood, California. Getty Images
ESPN reportedly deliberate to fireside Clark on Tuesday as half of a bigger stint of layoffs at their mum or dad company, Disney.
However, media inquiries into his departure and a concern that the news would leak out before they may inform him led to the news being delivered during the present Monday.
ESPN executives hit a breaking point with Clark when him and fellow NFL analyst Peter Schrager had a cringey trade on “Get Up” — ESPN’s morning present — in September.
Schrager defended Cowboys extensive receiver CeeDee Lamb’s performance in Dallas’ opening-night loss and Clark said, “That’s the non-player in you.”
Before making the comment, Clark admitted “we shouldn’t be doing this on TV.”
Schrager requested Clark to not belittle him, to which Clark responded, “Peter, what I need for you to do is not get mad and let me finish.”
Later that day, Clark tweeted out an apology, saying, “Today, I had an interaction with my colleague [Schrager] both on and off the air that I regret.”
Clark’s bio web page on ESPN’s press web site is now not accessible as of Tuesday.
Ryan Clark speaks onstage during Fanatics Fest NYC 2026 at Jacob Javits Center on July 19, 2026 in New York City. Getty Images for Fanatics
He made rounds at Fanatics Fest NYC on Sunday and promoted his podcast, “The Pivot,” which options deep conversations about points in and out of the sports activities world with athletes and entertainers.
Clark’s ESPN firing got here as NFL training camps are set to open this month — and before ESPN airs its first Super Bowl in 2027.
The 13-year NFL veteran, who gained a Super Bowl with the Steelers in 2009, has yet to publicly handle his ESPN firing.
Clark, who signed a new cope with ESPN in 2024, opened up on negotiations with the Worldwide Leader in a submit on X, explaining that each side “disagreed” at the time.
“3 years ago I signed an extension with ESPN. I was so grateful for more time,” Clark posted during the negotiation after the Super Bowl in February 2024. “I (was) excited to show I used to be price more, felt I deserved more. We disagreed, & that’s okay. I set out on a mission to depart little question, end all conversations about who I used to be in this enterprise.
“The season is over. The deal is up. Time to make a decision. Either way it goes. The mission don’t change. I want to be the best doing it. Everyone should. I’m more motivated today than ever. I’m still the same #UndraftedFreeAgent !”
Clark beat out ESPN stars Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Jay Bilas, Kenny Smith, in addition to MLB’s Tom Verducci and CBS’ Nate Burleson to win his first Sports Emmy in 2023.
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