More Details on ESPN Firing Ryan Clark: It doesn’t get better
Ryan Clark was not a good employee. He spoke publicly about his contract dispute with ESPN. Clark’s podcast, which isn’t affiliated with the network, constantly landed him in hot water forcing him to issue apologies. There was the Peter Schrager incident. Ryan Clark was the exact walking, talking controversy ESPN generally tries to avoid.
Personally, I’m grateful to Ryan Clark. While attempting to paint the picture that Sam Darnold was preparing excuses for a playoff loss (that never came), Clark made up untrue interception stats about the quarterback during an appearance on First Take. Fact checking Clark on Darnold’s stats was one of my most successful TikTok videos (Now resurfacing on other platforms). Thanks, Ryan!
Past all of those clear and obvious issues that probably should have resulted in Clark being let go a long time ago, ESPN handled his departure the wrong way. According to multiple outlets, ESPN decided to notify Clark he was being laid off, while he was on air, because the rumors were already circulating, and the network was afraid he’d hear about it somewhere else first. So instead, ESPN waited until Clark was off camera, either for a segment he wasn’t a part of or a commercial break, and notified him then. Clark didn’t finish the episode of NFL Live.
What a disrespectful way to handle that situation. First of all, how did so many people know about Clark’s firing? Is the gossip at ESPN really that bad? If so, maybe the network is letting go of the wrong people.
Second of all, unless the network was concerned Clark would hear about it within the hour, why couldn’t they wait until the show was done? Wrap the show. Get a note to Clark that the boss wants to see him as soon as the show’s over. Let him know then.
Third of all, even if Clark would have gotten the rumor during the show, or immediately after; 1. It’s still just a rumor at that point. 2. It’s still better than firing him during the show!
Having said that, I wish ESPN would have done all of their layoffs during talent appearances this week. We might actually sit through the commercial breaks just to see who’s left by the time the credits are rolling. I mean, you did Clark like that, why not the others?
-Written by Seattle Mike
