Former NFL player and analyst Ryan Clark is firing back against claims that he “wasn’t forced” to leave set during a commercial break after ESPN laid him off mid-broadcast on Monday (July 20). As we previously shared, ESPN cut ties with Clark, 46, in the middle of his live show broadcast, ‘NFL Live. Social media users said after commercial break, Clark never returned. They wondered if he left on his own or was told to leave the set.
ESPN Lays Off Ryan Clark Mid-Broadcast
According to The New York Times’ sports publication, ‘The Athletic,’ sources at the network claimed executives let Clark loose mid-show because they feared someone would leak the news to him first. The Athletic also reported that since the Super Bowl in February, they heard Clark’s job was potentially in jeopardy. Just last week, they learned he would soon be let go.
Sources said ESPN had planned to cut ties on Tuesday morning (July 21). However, executives reportedly received handfuls of calls seeking answers about impending layoffs. Clark — who was reportedly making more than $2 million a year — had been with ESPN for over a decade.
RELATED: Cam Newton Reportedly Fired From ESPN Amid Big LayOffs With The Network
Clark was also expected to largely cover next year’s Super Bowl, Super Bowl LXI. ESPN will broadcast the event for the first time. Furthermore, sources claimed executives weren’t too happy with some of Clark’s past choices and comments.
Reportedly, an on- and off-air incident involving his colleague Peter Schrager played a role. The two had an intense discussion during ESPN’s ‘Get Up’ back in September 2025. Despite an apology, the damage was done.
July 2026 ESPN And NFL Network Layoffs Include 10 Employees
When ‘The Athletic’ reported on Clark’s layoff, they also claimed more layoffs were expected at ESPN and NFL Network on Tuesday. The mass layoffs were part of a bigger cut at parent company Disney. As expected, the network laid off about 10 people, including Clark and former NFL star and analyst Cam Newton.
- Cam Newton—NFL analyst and former Carolina Panthers quarterback
- Ryan Clark—NFL analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers safety
- Karl Ravech—MLB play-by-play announcer and “Baseball Tonight” host
- Tom Pelissero—NFL Network insider
- Stephania Bell—NFL injury analyst and physician who had been a fixture on ESPN’s NFL coverage
- David Lloyd—SportsCenter anchor
- Charles Davis—NFL Network analyst and draft expert
- Bart Scott—NFL analyst and radio co-host
- Andreas Hale—Boxing, MMA and professional wrestling reporter
- Dan Hajducky—ESPN.com staff writer
On Tuesday (July 21), Clark reacted to layoff news and sent prayers to those affected. He tweeted his appreciation for ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith showing support.
Ryan Clark Claims He Was Told To Leave Set After ESPN Laid Him Off Mid-Air
On Wednesday (July 22), Clark then fired back at a TMZ story. It claimed he “wasn’t forced from air during commercial break after his ESPN layoff.” TMZ’s sources said Clark was “rattled by the news and both sides agreed it was better for him not to return to the show.” However, he now clarified on X that it wasn’t a mutual decision.
He said, “I wasn’t forced? ‘I ask, should I be done now?’ The answer was, ‘yes’.” TMZ also reported that sources told them his on-screen colleagues did not receive advance warning about his firing. This was speculated by social media users.
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