Despite giving 33 years to the company, ESPN is expected to lay off respected anchor and play-by-play man Karl Ravech, who called the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers MLB game on Monday night, seemingly unaware that it would be his last night for the company.
In a massive cull at the company, respected NFL analyst and former free safety Ryan Clark has also been shockingly let go, along with other big names such as Cam Newton, David Lloyd, and Tom Pelissero. The moves have brought swift condemnation from NFL circles, especially regarding Ravech’s firing.
ESPN’s Firing Of Karl Ravech Brings Swift Condemnation From NFL Circles
As part of major layoffs at ESPN and sister platform NFL Network, on-air personalities have been let go due to broader layoffs at parent company Disney. While Clark was informed of his dismissal mid-broadcast, Ravech himself reportedly was not directly informed by the company prior to the news leaking, as reported by The Athletic.
Ravech is highly respected, having put in over three decades of work, whether anchoring SportsCenter or serving as the lead announcer for Baseball Tonight. This decision is bound to cause fury, given that he has been a familiar face or voice for many iconic Sports moments over 30+ years.
Leading the anger is Barstool Sports president Dave Portnoy. He replied to Andrew Marchand’s tweet about the news with a blistering post that perhaps unfairly included Mina Kimes in the criticism of ESPN’s decision.
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He wrote, “Boo!!!! Karl Ravech is awesome! How does Mina Kimes have a job before Ravech? Mina Kimes is the worst of the worst of the worst!”
Boo!!!! Karl Ravech is awesome! How does Mina Kimes have a job before Ravech? Mina Kimes is the worst of the worst of the worst! https://t.co/crMpU6Kg3F
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) July 21, 2026
Nevertheless, the criticism of ESPN’s decision was echoed by respected NFL insider John Frascella, reminiscing about the ‘good ol’ days’ of ESPN at its peak: “The ‘Good Old Days’ of ESPN are officially over. Karl Ravech has now been fired. Not long ago, Linda Cohn retired. Most of the others had already moved on over the years. RIP, Classic Sportscenter.”
A perfect summation by Frascella of the unfortunate situation. SportsCenter used to be a must-watch.
The ‘Good Old Days’ of ESPN are officially over.
Karl Ravech has now been fired.
Not long ago, Linda Cohn retired.
Most of the others had already moved on over the years
RIP, Classic Sportscenter. https://t.co/NZ0ZXUgzvP
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) July 21, 2026
With that in mind, Barstool Sports member, @CaptainCons, wrote in lament: “The ESPN we grew up with is dead. I cannot make sense of anything they do.”
Many would echo that sentiment.
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Fantasy Football expert Brian Drake wrote critically: “If your company can’t keep Karl Ravech but has money for Stephen A. and McAfee, you’re doing it wrong.”
This was in relation to the decision to double Pat McAfee’s salary to a reported $60+ million per year, and give Stephen A. Smith a huge new contract worth $100 million. As a result, it likely led to cuts to experts such as Ravech, Tom Pelissero, and Ryan Clark.
In a similar vein, Brandon Carney feels ESPN is ‘nuking any goodwill’ with these controversial layoffs, listing respected names among the cull and mentioning Ravech as one of the nicest people he worked with.
The ‘Good Old Days’ of ESPN are officially over.
Karl Ravech has now been fired.
Not long ago, Linda Cohn retired.
Most of the others had already moved on over the years
RIP, Classic Sportscenter. https://t.co/NZ0ZXUgzvP
— John Frascella (Football) (@NFLFrascella) July 21, 2026
“ESPN just nuking any goodwill they have left with these layoffs. Karl Ravech is one of the best in the business and one of the nicest guys I worked with there. Tom Pelissero, Stephania Bell, David Lloyd gone too, probably more to come. Multi-billion dollar network btw.”
Carney ended up being spot-on that more was to come, as NFL draft coverage anchor Charles Davis has also been let go from the NFL Network in another shocking decision, as reported by Andrew Marchand.
It is hard to comprehend that so many respected faces and voices from people’s sports childhoods, growing up watching ESPN and NFL Network, have been let go, with likely more to come. A sad day for the industry, let alone the individuals affected.
