Karl Ravech, Ryan Clark among on-air talent cut in ESPN layoffs

ESPN is parting ways with several longtime on-air personalities as the network restructures following Disney’s acquisition of NFL Network and other NFL media assets.

Karl Ravech, a longtime baseball broadcaster for the network, is expected to leave after more than three decades with the company.

Ravech joined ESPN in 1993 and worked as a “SportsCenter” and “Baseball Tonight” anchor before moving into play-by-play. He served as the lead announcer for “Sunday Night Baseball” from 2022 through 2025 and has also called college basketball and the Little League World Series.

Ravech called ESPN’s Los Angeles Dodgers-Philadelphia Phillies telecast Monday, July 20, 2026, shortly before reports of his departure surfaced. An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment on the personnel changes.

NFL analyst Ryan Clark was also laid off Monday after 11 years with ESPN. 

Clark was told that he lost his job while appearing on “NFL Live,” Mediaite reported, citing anonymous sources.

According to recordings of the program, he wrapped up a segment and the broadcast wen to a commercial break and Clark did not return. 

ESPN had reportedly planned to notify Clark on Tuesday but accelerated the conversation after receiving media inquiries about his status.

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Clark, a former NFL safety, joined ESPN in 2015 and became a regular contributor across the network’s NFL programming. 

Other employees affected by the cuts include longtime “SportsCenter” anchor David Lloyd and injury and fantasy football analyst Stephania Bell, Front Office Sports reported. Lloyd joined ESPN in 1997 and most recently anchored late-night editions of “SportsCenter.” Bell, a licensed physical therapist, joined the network in 2008 and became a regular part of its fantasy football coverage.

The cuts also include NFL Network staffer Tom Pelissero, NFL Network analyst Charles Davis and “First Take” contributor Cam Newton, according to the Front Office Sports report. The outlet reported that about 10 on-air personalities were expected to lose their positions, along with employees working behind the scenes.

ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro told employees Tuesday that most of the job reductions were connected to the integration of NFL Network, NFL RedZone distribution rights and the league’s fantasy football operations.

“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,” Pitaro wrote in the memo.

Pitaro said some employees outside the NFL-related operations would also be affected and said the company would provide support to those losing their jobs. Disney acquired the NFL media properties in exchange for the league receiving a 10% ownership stake in ESPN.

ESPN acquired NFL Network, RedZone and NFL Fantasy, as part of a deal first announced in August 2025 and approved by regulators in January 2026.

The NFL received a 10% stake in ESPN as part of the transaction, and NFL Network employees formally joined ESPN in April 2026.

ESPN began integrating the properties in March 2026 by moving selected United Football League games to NFL Network and later simulcasting the NFL’s 2026 schedule announcement across both networks.