Stephen A. Smith reacted to Ryan Clark’s latest career move as his former ESPN colleague had just won a playoff game. Some fans responded as if Smith had forgotten why Clark was available in the first place.
Fans Turn Stephen A. Smith’s Celebration into a Ryan Clark Debate
Clark’s “The Pivot” podcast, which he co-hosts with former NFL players Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor, landed a multi-year Netflix deal that begins Sept. 8. Smith immediately celebrated the announcement in an X post, writing that he was “so happy” and “so proud” of the group before telling Clark, “Love ya!!!!”
The congratulations quickly reopened the argument surrounding Clark’s July departure from ESPN.
“He got fired for a reason,” one fan wrote in an X reply, before accusing Clark of race baiting and treating white colleagues rudely. Those were the user’s allegations, not established findings about Clark or ESPN’s decision.
He got fired for a reason it’s for his race baiting his absolute rudeness with white host even if he’s your friend he’s not that great stop it
— Jacob wesson (@Jacobwesso73291) August 31, 2026
Another fan was even less subtle.
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“Ryan Clark is terrible, that’s why ESPN fired his [expletive],” the fan wrote.
A third response turned Clark’s history of on-air controversy into a punchline.
“This include the Ryan Clark Apology Hour segment? 😂” the fan asked in a separate reply.
This include the Ryan Clark Apology Hour segment? 😂
— Derek Pierce (@derekpierce) August 31, 2026
Another user repeated the criticism, writing, “He’s gonna race bait at Netflix? Hard pass,” in an X post.
He’s gonna race bait at Netflix? Hard pass.
— LatinThinker (@latinthinker) August 31, 2026
One more fan directed the frustration at Smith himself. “Lmao. Just stop, SAS,” the user wrote in his response.
Lmao. Just stop, SAS.
— J Ernst (@JErnst40) August 31, 2026
Another fan added, “Nobody gives a damn about the Pivot podcast.”
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The backlash is notable because Smith has never hidden his support for Clark. When ESPN let Clark go in July, Smith called him a brother and “arguably the best NFL analyst in America,” while making clear he was unhappy with the network’s decision.
Clark Lands Major Platform Weeks After ESPN Exit
Clark’s split from ESPN was messier than a routine contract expiration. He learned during a commercial break of “NFL Live” that the network was letting him go and did not return to finish the show.
ESPN’s broader cuts came amid restructuring tied largely to its integration of NFL Network. Reporting from The Athletic, however, indicated the network had also soured on Clark following his 2025 on-air exchange with Peter Schrager, for which Clark later apologized.
Clark has rejected the idea that he was simply swept up in layoffs. On “The Pivot,” he said, “I wasn’t laid off, I was fired,” arguing ESPN used the larger round of cuts as cover for a decision it already wanted to make.
Whatever label was attached to the exit, unemployment did not remain the dominant story for long. Netflix’s deal will bring new video episodes of “The Pivot” to the service every Tuesday and Friday, while its existing library will also be available there and remain on YouTube.
That made Smith’s enthusiasm easy to understand. It also gave Clark’s critics another chance to relitigate an ESPN departure that was already one of sports media’s messiest stories of the summer.
Netflix may be getting new episodes of “The Pivot,” but the debate around Clark apparently came with the package.
