ESPN layoffs tracker 2026: Ryan Clark, Tom Pelissero among talent let go in latest Disney budget cuts

ESPN layoffs tracker 2026: Ryan Clark, Tom Pelissero among talent let go in latest Disney budget cuts originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After officially absorbing NFL Network, ESPN is ready to make some major changes.

The network is laying off on-air talent in addition to off-air employees, according to reports, starting with the news Monday that longtime analyst Ryan Clark would not be returning.

The cuts, according to The Athletic, are part of "broader cuts" at Disney, which owns ESPN. Layoffs are expected to include NFL Network personalities, with Disney and ESPN now in control of the network.

The Sporting News is tracking the latest updates on ESPN's layoffs below.

MORE:Why Ryan Clark was unceremoniously fired by ESPN

ESPN layoffs: Who's been let go?

Ryan Clark

ESPN informed longtime analyst and former NFL safety Ryan Clark that he was being let go on Monday.

Clark, who joined the network in 2015, was told during a break on "NFL Live" just minutes after making an on-air appearance because the news was leaked to the media.

The decision reportedly wasn't just a financial one, as The Athletic reported some of Clark's on-air behavior, including a spat with fellow analyst Peter Schrager in 2025, made the wrong impression on some ESPN executives. Clark frequently chimed in on social and political issues, and he also took contract negotiations public in 2024.

Karl Ravech

Among the ESPN layoffs is longtime play-by-play broadcaster Karl Ravech, who has been with the network for 33 years.

Ravech had been the voice of "Sunday Night Baseball" until ESPN ceded those duties to NBC this season, but he continued to call MLB games up to Monday night, when he was behind the microphone for Dodgers vs. Phillies.

Ravech also served as a college basketball play-by-play announcer and spent years hosting both "SportsCenter" and "Baseball Tonight."

Tom Pelissero

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero is set to be laid off with the network now under ESPN control, The Athletic reports.

Pelissero joined NFL Network in 2017 and emerged as one of the network's top insiders alongside Ian Rapoport. Rapoport recently signed a long-term deal, but Pelissero could become another outlet's top NFL insider after being cut loose.

Stephania Bell

ESPN injury expert Stephania Bell has been laid off after 18 years, Front Office Sports reports. Bell frequently served as a contributor to NFL and fantasy football programming.

David Lloyd

Longtime anchor David Lloyd is also out at ESPN, according to Front Office Sports. Lloyd joined the network as an anchor on ESPNEWS in 2017 and served as a "SportsCenter" host over the years.