Cam Newton and Ryan Clark. Source: IMAGN

Full List of ESPN Layoffs in 2026: Everyone Who the Network Has Let Go So Far

July 21, 2026 | 4:07 PM EDT

ESPN is restructuring and people are losing jobs over it. NFL personality Ryan Clark was the latest prominent name to be laid off by the company this year.

The latest round of layoffs is primarily tied to its integration of NFL Network following the acquisition of NFL Media assets. ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith has already warned that after Clark, many more names are likely to follow.

Here’s a list of everyone let go by ESPN so far this summer.

Full List of ESPN Layoffs in 2026

1. Ryan Clark

The NFL analyst was fired after 11 years of service, appearing on several shows like NFL Live, Monday Night Countdown, Get Up and First Take. He was informed about the decision during a live show of “NFL Live” and immediately after he left the place.

2. Karl Ravech

The longtime host of Baseball Tonight was let go by the company after 33 years. Ravech joined the network in 1993 and also served as the voice of “Sunday Night Baseball”.

3. David Lloyd

The SportsCenter anchor joined the network in 1997 as an “ESPNEWS” anchor. He was let go after 29 years of service.

4. Tom Pelissero

Pelissero was among the NFL Network personalities affected as ESPN eliminated overlapping roles following the merger. Charles Davis has also departed.

5. Cam Newton

Newton regularly appeared on the popular “First Take” show, often engaging in debate with Smith. The former NFL MVP was also included in the layoffs despite having signed a multiyear extension in the summer of 2025.

6. Bart Scott

Scott was an ESPN radio host for New York City and also appeared in the network’s daytime shows.

7. Andreas Hale

Hale covered boxing, MMA and professional wrestling for ESPN but was laid off on Tuesday.

Why ESPN is Initiating Layoffs

The primary reason behind the layoffs, as mentioned by ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro are ESPN’s acquisition and integration of NFL Network, NFL RedZone distribution rights, and other NFL Media assets. As a result of this merger, there is a lot of overlapping of roles and thus, they are looking to chop the add-ons.

Over the past several months, we’ve made significant progress integrating the NFL assets that we acquired into ESPN,” Pitaro wrote in the memo. “Throughout this process, we have taken the time to carefully evaluate our collective teams, resources and organizational structure to best position us for the future. As a result, we had to make some difficult decisions about job impacts that we will be communicating today.

“While most of the job impacts are tied to the acquisition, we will also notify colleagues in other parts of the company today that their positions have been impacted. We are committed to treating employees with compassion and respect and to providing support as they navigate this transition.”

The deal between NFL Network and ESPN was announced in August. While ESPN gets the rights to distribute the RedZone channel to cable and satellite operators, the NFL will take a 10% equity stake in the network.