ESPN announces new round of layoffs, including Karl Ravech and Tom Pelissero

By Michael Carter — 21 July 2026 — 4 min read

Major Staff Changes at ESPN

ESPN has initiated a significant round of layoffs, impacting prominent on-air personalities such as Karl Ravech and Tom Pelissero. These personnel changes are the first since the network finalized its acquisition of NFL Network in January. Sources familiar with the situation indicated that many of the dismissals were anticipated to occur within NFL Network’s operations, particularly affecting behind-the-scenes staff.

The acquisition, which was announced last August, involved ESPN obtaining NFL Network and other digital assets, including NFL Fantasy and distribution rights for the RedZone channel. In exchange, the NFL received a 10% equity stake in ESPN. Government regulators approved this deal in January, and NFL Network employees officially became part of ESPN on April 1.

In an internal memo issued on Tuesday, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro acknowledged the progress made in integrating the newly acquired NFL assets. He stated that while most job impacts are linked to the acquisition, colleagues in other parts of the company would also be notified of affected positions. Pitaro emphasized the company’s commitment to treating employees with respect and providing support during this transition.

Impact on On-Air Talent

Among the notable figures affected by the layoffs is Karl Ravech, who has been a prominent voice at ESPN for over three decades. Ravech, who joined the network in 1993, served as the lead play-by-play announcer for Major League Baseball coverage, hosted “Baseball Tonight,” called college basketball games, and was a long-standing anchor for “SportsCenter.” He called the Phillies-Dodgers game in Philadelphia on Monday, prior to the announcement of his departure.

Tom Pelissero, a staple on NFL Network since 2017, is also part of the cuts. His departure follows ESPN’s recent extensions for NFL insiders Ian Rapoport and Adam Schefter. The network’s parent company, Disney, is also expected to conduct its own round of layoffs this week.

Another significant departure is Ryan Clark, an NFL analyst who joined ESPN in 2015. Reports indicate that Clark learned of his layoff while on air during “NFL Live” on Monday. He was reportedly taken off the show and informed directly by executives, rather than discovering the news online. Clark later shared a message on social media, offering support to others affected by the layoffs.

Former NFL MVP Cam Newton was also among those released. ESPN had signed Newton to a new multiyear deal last August, expecting him to continue appearing on “First Take” with Stephen A. Smith. Newton had been a debate partner for Smith for the past two seasons and was elevated to primary Monday co-host during the football season, which is typically the show’s highest-rated day. The network will now seek a permanent replacement for Newton on the Monday editions of the program.

Other individuals impacted include longtime “SportsCenter” anchor David Lloyd, who had been with ESPN since 1997, and injury expert Stephania Bell, who had nearly 20 years of service with the network. Bart Scott, a former All-Pro linebacker and talk show host, also had his ties severed. Charles Davis, an NFL Network analyst, was also let go; however, he remains at CBS, where he was recently elevated to the role of lead college football analyst for Big Ten afternoon games. Additionally, Andreas Hale, a boxing, MMA, and wrestling reporter, and Dan Hajducky, a staff writer for ESPN.com, announced their departures on social media.

Broader Context of Layoffs

These recent layoffs are not an isolated event for ESPN, which has experienced several rounds of cuts since 2015. Prior to this period, the network was often seen as a stable workplace, largely immune to the layoffs that affected other parts of the media industry. Three years ago, ESPN also laid off several well-known on-air talents, including Jeff Van Gundy, Keyshawn Johnson, and Jalen Rose.

Despite these changes, ESPN continues to hold a strong portfolio of major sporting events, including the upcoming Super Bowl in February, the NBA Finals, and the College Football Playoff. The network remains a significant platform in sports broadcasting, even as the landscape for its employees in Bristol continues to shift.

Source: nytimes.com