Karl Ravech to be laid off by ESPN

Karl Ravech to be Laid Off by ESPN

Long-time ESPN anchor Karl Ravech is reportedly being laid off by the network, according to The Athletic. Ravech, who has been with ESPN since 1993, is expected to be one of the biggest names involved in the latest round of layoffs. The 61-year-old Ravech has held a number of roles at ESPN over the years, including anchoring "SportsCenter," making regular appearances on "Baseball Tonight," and providing golf coverage.

Ravech's departure comes as ESPN is conducting a number of layoffs, most of which are expected to hit NFL Network employees. The network reached a billion-dollar deal with the NFL earlier in 2026, which resulted in NFL Network programming and employees being moved to ESPN. While some NFL Network employees have already carved out roles at ESPN, others may be pushed out due to layoffs.

According to The Athletic, Ravech had not been told of his impending job status when contacted on Tuesday morning. However, he did call the game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies on Monday, just hours before learning the news. Ravech is not the only high-profile name to be let go, as NFL analyst Ryan Clark was also laid off on Monday. Clark was taken off the air midway through an appearance on "NFL Live" and informed of his dismissal.

The layoffs are part of a wider effort by ESPN to cut costs and consolidate employees following the purchase of the NFL Network. The network officially purchased the NFL Network in late January in a series of agreements with the NFL that gave the league a 10 percent stake in ESPN. As part of the deal, all NFL Network staffers and personalities became ESPN employees.

Tom Pelissero, one of NFL Network's top insiders, is also expected to be let go, according to sources briefed on the moves. Pelissero has been a staple on the platform, but with the combination of ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFLN's Ian Rapoport, ESPN has moved on from him. The most severe layoffs are expected behind-the-scenes at NFL Network, with ESPN sorting out how to make all the pieces from its bases in Bristol and New York coordinate with NFL Network's Los Angeles operation.

ESPN's parent company, Disney, is also expected to conduct a round of layoffs. The network has had several rounds of layoffs since 2015, and the ground beneath employees' feet has become regularly shaky in Bristol. Three years ago, ESPN laid off a slew of big-name on-air personalities, including Jeff Van Gundy, Keyshawn Johnson, and Jalen Rose.

Ravech's optimism about the future of baseball on ESPN, expressed just before the 2025 season, now seems ironic in light of his impending departure. "There are very smart people that are trying to figure out ways to move forward with Major League Baseball," Ravech said on a season preview press call. "I'm very optimistic about ESPN and Major League Baseball's future."

As the layoffs continue, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro is expected to explain the moves in a memo, with a focus on the NFL Network portion of the consolidations. The network has retained a portfolio of events, including next February's Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, and the College Football Playoff, and it is still arguably the top platform in sports.