1 month ago
ESPN College GameDay hasn't been the same since saying goodbye to the legendary Lee Corso one year ago. The 91-year-old Corso bid farewell to the iconic college football pregame show, but recently reconnected with his good friend Kirk Herbstreit.
This week, Herbstreit revealed that he met up with Corso before the start of the season, and shared some details from their emotional reunion.
In an article with US Weekly, discussed a meeting at the Orlando airport, where he and Corso got some quality time together.
"By the time I landed, there he is," Herbstreit said. "We hugged, embraced. He was emotional because we haven't seen each other in a while. When he cried, it made me cry. Because he's my guy. We were able to hang out for probably 20 or 30 minutes and just kind of get caught up."
MORE: Scott Van Pelt, ESPN SportsCenter honor Barry Melrose with touching tribute video
#corso #gameday #kirk #weekly
This week, Herbstreit revealed that he met up with Corso before the start of the season, and shared some details from their emotional reunion.
In an article with US Weekly, discussed a meeting at the Orlando airport, where he and Corso got some quality time together.
"By the time I landed, there he is," Herbstreit said. "We hugged, embraced. He was emotional because we haven't seen each other in a while. When he cried, it made me cry. Because he's my guy. We were able to hang out for probably 20 or 30 minutes and just kind of get caught up."
MORE: Scott Van Pelt, ESPN SportsCenter honor Barry Melrose with touching tribute video
#corso #gameday #kirk #weekly
1 month ago
Some might have been surprised to see Stan Verrett back in ESPN's orbit, but not him.
Verrett, who left the Worldwide Leader last year, has returned as host of NFL Total Access on NFL Network. NFL Total Access originally ended in May 2024, but after ESPN acquired NFL Network, the powers that be decided to revive the show.
The new NFL Total Access debuted on Sept. 8 and will air Tuesday through Friday from noon to 2 p.m. ET. Verrett has stayed busy over the past year. The New Orleans native hosted a digital pregame show for the Saints and appeared on the L.A. Clippers, NBA TV, and FanDuel Sports Network, as well as a Twitch show with his former SportsCenter co-anchor, Neil Everett.
We recently caught up with Verrett to discuss his new job.
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
#total #show #leader #espn
Verrett, who left the Worldwide Leader last year, has returned as host of NFL Total Access on NFL Network. NFL Total Access originally ended in May 2024, but after ESPN acquired NFL Network, the powers that be decided to revive the show.
The new NFL Total Access debuted on Sept. 8 and will air Tuesday through Friday from noon to 2 p.m. ET. Verrett has stayed busy over the past year. The New Orleans native hosted a digital pregame show for the Saints and appeared on the L.A. Clippers, NBA TV, and FanDuel Sports Network, as well as a Twitch show with his former SportsCenter co-anchor, Neil Everett.
We recently caught up with Verrett to discuss his new job.
Note: This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
#total #show #leader #espn
1 month ago
Deion Branch's advice to his group of Louisville wide receivers for this week is to keep the noise outside and stay off the internet.
Turn off the TV — not even SportsCenter — or any kind of media. No "rat poison," as Nick Saban would say.
"The spreads and what we're favored by, that stuff doesn't matter," Branch told the Cardinals, who are favored by 36.5 points against Villanova. "You still have to go out and play the game. We have to go out and execute our plays. I need my guys to perform at a very high level for the team and also for themselves. ... So that's my message to the guys. Don't pay any attention to it. Just come in here and continue to work and push forward."
Louisville won't be overlooking the Wildcats tonight in its 2026 home opener. There was too much to work on in the team's 41-38 season-opening loss to No. 11 Ole Miss. Defensively, the Cards need to limit big plays and prevent completions up the seam. Offensively, they need to make sure that quarterback Lincoln Kienholz settles in sooner and doesn't jump out of the pocket before necessary. Having a full game under his belt will help the Ohio State transfer do that. In his first start, Kienholz completed 62.1% of his passes (18-29) with two touchdowns and became the first Louisville starting quarterback to throw for at least 300 yards in his debut (307 yards) since Kyle Bolin, then a redshirt freshman, threw for 300 yards in a 37-14 loss to Georgia in the 2014 Belk Bowl.
The Courier Journal is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from Friday night's game. Follow along:
#need #yards
Turn off the TV — not even SportsCenter — or any kind of media. No "rat poison," as Nick Saban would say.
"The spreads and what we're favored by, that stuff doesn't matter," Branch told the Cardinals, who are favored by 36.5 points against Villanova. "You still have to go out and play the game. We have to go out and execute our plays. I need my guys to perform at a very high level for the team and also for themselves. ... So that's my message to the guys. Don't pay any attention to it. Just come in here and continue to work and push forward."
Louisville won't be overlooking the Wildcats tonight in its 2026 home opener. There was too much to work on in the team's 41-38 season-opening loss to No. 11 Ole Miss. Defensively, the Cards need to limit big plays and prevent completions up the seam. Offensively, they need to make sure that quarterback Lincoln Kienholz settles in sooner and doesn't jump out of the pocket before necessary. Having a full game under his belt will help the Ohio State transfer do that. In his first start, Kienholz completed 62.1% of his passes (18-29) with two touchdowns and became the first Louisville starting quarterback to throw for at least 300 yards in his debut (307 yards) since Kyle Bolin, then a redshirt freshman, threw for 300 yards in a 37-14 loss to Georgia in the 2014 Belk Bowl.
The Courier Journal is bringing you live updates, scores and highlights from Friday night's game. Follow along:
#need #yards
1 month ago
Nebraska volleyball returns to action on Friday night by hosting the Baylor Bears. The Huskers are coming off a sweep of New Mexico on Thursday night.
Nebraska is undefeated all-time against Baylor, with a 32-0 record. In their last meeting, the Huskers swept the Bears in 2021.
The Huskers were voted the favorite in the 2026 Big Ten Preseason Poll after a vote by the league's 18 head coaches in July. The team is led by setter Bergen Reilly, who averages 10.70 ******* ists and 2.10 digs per set.
Nebraska was ranked No. 1 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll released on Sept. 7. It marks the Huskers' 126th week all-time at No. 1 in the AVCA Coaches Poll, the most of any program in the nation.
The Huskers have been one of the most dominant home teams in the entire country over the last several seasons. Nebraska has won 48 regular-season home matches in a row at the Bob Devaney SportsCenter, going back to the start of the 2023 season.
#time
Nebraska is undefeated all-time against Baylor, with a 32-0 record. In their last meeting, the Huskers swept the Bears in 2021.
The Huskers were voted the favorite in the 2026 Big Ten Preseason Poll after a vote by the league's 18 head coaches in July. The team is led by setter Bergen Reilly, who averages 10.70 ******* ists and 2.10 digs per set.
Nebraska was ranked No. 1 in the latest AVCA Coaches Poll released on Sept. 7. It marks the Huskers' 126th week all-time at No. 1 in the AVCA Coaches Poll, the most of any program in the nation.
The Huskers have been one of the most dominant home teams in the entire country over the last several seasons. Nebraska has won 48 regular-season home matches in a row at the Bob Devaney SportsCenter, going back to the start of the 2023 season.
#time
1 month ago
Should Tennessee football be on upset alert for the season opener against Furman?
Asked to pick a game with potential to rival the iconic upset Appalachian State pulled over then No. 5 Michigan in 2007, ESPN ****** yst Jordan Rodgers said the No. 18 Vols, who are 46.5-point favorites, could find themselves in a closer game than expected against the Paladins (1-0) on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m., SEC Network+) at Neyland Stadium.
"I don't think any of them are too likely, but if there was one I could maybe sell you that it could get interesting, it'd be Furman at Tennessee," Rodgers, a former quarterback at Vanderbilt, said during a "SportsCenter" segment on Sept. 2
Rodgers' primary concern for Tennessee is freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon and even immensely gifted players can be ****** e to costly mistakes in their debuts.
"You look at Tennessee and they are breaking in a five-star quarterback and he is really talented, Faizon Brandon. But in these games where App State upsets a Michigan, it's not usually that they are more talented. It's that the better team beats themselves," Rodgers said. "And a five-star quarterback could go out there as and 18-year-old and make some mistakes. I think he's going to be really good but in Week 1, he's not going to be the version that he could be in Week 11 or 12."
#furman #state #sept #faizon
Asked to pick a game with potential to rival the iconic upset Appalachian State pulled over then No. 5 Michigan in 2007, ESPN ****** yst Jordan Rodgers said the No. 18 Vols, who are 46.5-point favorites, could find themselves in a closer game than expected against the Paladins (1-0) on Sept. 5 (3:30 p.m., SEC Network+) at Neyland Stadium.
"I don't think any of them are too likely, but if there was one I could maybe sell you that it could get interesting, it'd be Furman at Tennessee," Rodgers, a former quarterback at Vanderbilt, said during a "SportsCenter" segment on Sept. 2
Rodgers' primary concern for Tennessee is freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon and even immensely gifted players can be ****** e to costly mistakes in their debuts.
"You look at Tennessee and they are breaking in a five-star quarterback and he is really talented, Faizon Brandon. But in these games where App State upsets a Michigan, it's not usually that they are more talented. It's that the better team beats themselves," Rodgers said. "And a five-star quarterback could go out there as and 18-year-old and make some mistakes. I think he's going to be really good but in Week 1, he's not going to be the version that he could be in Week 11 or 12."
#furman #state #sept #faizon
2 months ago
After 34 years and more than 5,500 episodes anchoring sports television's longest-running program, SportsCenter, Linda Cohn decided it was time for something different. Earlier this year, Cohn was celebrated in a daylong presentation during her return to Bristol, Connecticut. Memories, tributes and a highlight package or two were included, all with a focus on the impact and legacy Cohn left on so many over her three decades of service to the network.
In the days that followed, Cohn got right back to work. The project wasn't another network or a return to her earlier days in radio. Instead, the National Sports Media Hall of Famer launched a YouTube channel dedicated to providing content that embraced the newfound freedom she gained by leaving the halls of the worldwide leader.
"The stuff that I have strong opinions on is the stuff I haven't been allowed to say," said Cohn. "The stuff that's usually trending and hot topics are the things I tend to want to discuss the most. That's the stuff that I had the gag order on every year I was with ESPN and weren't allowed to talk about."
Twice per week, Cohn now hosts The Linda Cohn Show from her palatial estate in Los Angeles. The topics can range from sports to pop culture. The opinions are her own, written and presented from the heart. Cohn has never lost her passion for sports, but she also never had a platform to truly choose and discuss her personal feelings on subject matter at length.
That's why it made all the sense in the world for Cohn to immediately enter the digital content ******* e following her ESPN departure.
#cohn
In the days that followed, Cohn got right back to work. The project wasn't another network or a return to her earlier days in radio. Instead, the National Sports Media Hall of Famer launched a YouTube channel dedicated to providing content that embraced the newfound freedom she gained by leaving the halls of the worldwide leader.
"The stuff that I have strong opinions on is the stuff I haven't been allowed to say," said Cohn. "The stuff that's usually trending and hot topics are the things I tend to want to discuss the most. That's the stuff that I had the gag order on every year I was with ESPN and weren't allowed to talk about."
Twice per week, Cohn now hosts The Linda Cohn Show from her palatial estate in Los Angeles. The topics can range from sports to pop culture. The opinions are her own, written and presented from the heart. Cohn has never lost her passion for sports, but she also never had a platform to truly choose and discuss her personal feelings on subject matter at length.
That's why it made all the sense in the world for Cohn to immediately enter the digital content ******* e following her ESPN departure.
#cohn
2 months ago
ESPN has never been hesitant to cover the never-ending circus that is the Dallas Cowboys franchise. The Worldwide Leader's proclivity to discuss the state of things in Jerry World has been covered multiple times over the years, and Charles Barkley and Inside the NBA even poked fun at it after joining the ESPN family.
It's a fact that isn't wasted inside the halls of ESPN, either.
"I don't know if you heard this about ESPN. Sometimes they say that we're a little cowboy over the top," longtime SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt said to Kyle Brandt on Thursday night, who recently joined the network as part of the consolidation of ESPN and NFL Network.
"You get the memo that says you have to talk about the Cowboys," Van Pelt joked. "No one says you have to talk about the Cowboys. I root for the team that was their most hated rival in Washington, and I love to make fun of the fact that since I've worked at ESPN, which is a long-*ss time, never once have they played for an NFC Championship, let alone a ***** le. That's a fact. Yes. I think they're going to be good. I really do. I like their defense."
After joking that his take was going to end up on the popular Freezing Cold Takes X account, Brandt made quite the ***** ogy for why there's a pretty decent chance Van Pelt's take will go on to be very off-base.
#espn
It's a fact that isn't wasted inside the halls of ESPN, either.
"I don't know if you heard this about ESPN. Sometimes they say that we're a little cowboy over the top," longtime SportsCenter anchor Scott Van Pelt said to Kyle Brandt on Thursday night, who recently joined the network as part of the consolidation of ESPN and NFL Network.
"You get the memo that says you have to talk about the Cowboys," Van Pelt joked. "No one says you have to talk about the Cowboys. I root for the team that was their most hated rival in Washington, and I love to make fun of the fact that since I've worked at ESPN, which is a long-*ss time, never once have they played for an NFC Championship, let alone a ***** le. That's a fact. Yes. I think they're going to be good. I really do. I like their defense."
After joking that his take was going to end up on the popular Freezing Cold Takes X account, Brandt made quite the ***** ogy for why there's a pretty decent chance Van Pelt's take will go on to be very off-base.
#espn
2 months ago
The college football season is quickly approaching, and soon a new quest for the College Football Playoffs will begin. The defending champions, the Indiana Hoosiers, will look to defend their incredible **** le run.
Head coach Curt Cignetti's run with Indiana was one for the ages. However, a familiar face is already casting doubt on their **** le defense.
Paul Finebaum was on SportsCenter, and when the topic of Indiana's ranking came up, he didn't hold back. In fact, he painted the whole picture as clearly as it can be.
MORE: Clemson and 3 other unranked CFB teams that could finish in the top-10
"That's where they were picked last year in the Big 10 … So, they are moving on up after a perfect season. They're exactly where they should be for this reason. Everybody in front of them has a starting quarterback. And if Indiana had its starting quarterback, number one," Finebaum said.
#Football #quarterback #playoffs
Head coach Curt Cignetti's run with Indiana was one for the ages. However, a familiar face is already casting doubt on their **** le defense.
Paul Finebaum was on SportsCenter, and when the topic of Indiana's ranking came up, he didn't hold back. In fact, he painted the whole picture as clearly as it can be.
MORE: Clemson and 3 other unranked CFB teams that could finish in the top-10
"That's where they were picked last year in the Big 10 … So, they are moving on up after a perfect season. They're exactly where they should be for this reason. Everybody in front of them has a starting quarterback. And if Indiana had its starting quarterback, number one," Finebaum said.
#Football #quarterback #playoffs
2 months ago
Danny Kanell and Dusty Dvoracek's SiriusXM show is ending, but both are getting fresh starts on the satellite radio platform.
According to On3's Brett McMurphy, Dusty and Danny In The Morning is ending its five-year run on Friday. However, neither host is leaving. Kanell will remain in the morning time slot and be paired with a new co-host, while Dvoracek moves to the afternoon slot. Per McMurphy, the move is due to Dvoracek's need for greater flexibility due to an increased role at ESPN.
Dvoracek has been seeing his star continually rise in recent years as a college football broadcaster with the Worldwide Leader. He's also become a fixture on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. He's become one of the top college football **** ysts at ESPN, where he even called a College Football Playoff game in 2024. Awful Announcing readers put him and Dave Pasch at No. 5 overall in our most recent college football rankings.
Kanell spent several years at ESPN before joining SiriusXM. He's also an **** yst for CBS Sports and a co-host of the Cover 3 podcast. The former Florida State quarterback has developed a reputation for his strong ACC bias and hatred of all things SEC.
The post Danny Kanell, Dusty Dvoracek reportedly ending SiriusXM show appeared first on Awful Announcing.
#college #dvoracek #ending
According to On3's Brett McMurphy, Dusty and Danny In The Morning is ending its five-year run on Friday. However, neither host is leaving. Kanell will remain in the morning time slot and be paired with a new co-host, while Dvoracek moves to the afternoon slot. Per McMurphy, the move is due to Dvoracek's need for greater flexibility due to an increased role at ESPN.
Dvoracek has been seeing his star continually rise in recent years as a college football broadcaster with the Worldwide Leader. He's also become a fixture on SportsCenter with Scott Van Pelt. He's become one of the top college football **** ysts at ESPN, where he even called a College Football Playoff game in 2024. Awful Announcing readers put him and Dave Pasch at No. 5 overall in our most recent college football rankings.
Kanell spent several years at ESPN before joining SiriusXM. He's also an **** yst for CBS Sports and a co-host of the Cover 3 podcast. The former Florida State quarterback has developed a reputation for his strong ACC bias and hatred of all things SEC.
The post Danny Kanell, Dusty Dvoracek reportedly ending SiriusXM show appeared first on Awful Announcing.
#college #dvoracek #ending
2 months ago
The man who pioneered wholesale change in sports media with the founding of ESPN has died.
Bill Rasmussen, the entrepreneur who conceived the 24-hour cable sports network ESPN, died on Tuesday at age 93, the network announced. Rasmussen, along with his son Scott, famously came up with the idea for ESPN while stuck in traffic traveling to the Jersey Shore. Now, nearly 50 years later, ESPN is a behemoth prepared to broadcast the first Super Bowl in the network's history next February.
"Bill was a remarkable man – a visionary and an innovator who conceived the idea of a network entirely devoted to sports," ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. "Quite simply, none of us would be here today if it wasn't for Bill's passion and all the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit he put into building ESPN in the late 1970s – key aspects of our company culture that still carry on to this day."
Rasmussen's time at ESPN was essential but short-lived. The network launched in 1979 on the back of emerging satellite technology and funding from Getty Oil. The early days of ESPN were programmed with the flagship SportsCenter news and highlights show surrounded by a hodgepodge of live sports rights. Securing early-round NCAA Tournament broadcasts in March of 1980 proved to be a springboard for the fledgling network, helping bring ESPN into the mainstream.
Rasmussen left ESPN in October 1980 just over a year after its formal launch. Despite his brief tenure, his impact on the sports media industry was profound.
#sports #Media #died
Bill Rasmussen, the entrepreneur who conceived the 24-hour cable sports network ESPN, died on Tuesday at age 93, the network announced. Rasmussen, along with his son Scott, famously came up with the idea for ESPN while stuck in traffic traveling to the Jersey Shore. Now, nearly 50 years later, ESPN is a behemoth prepared to broadcast the first Super Bowl in the network's history next February.
"Bill was a remarkable man – a visionary and an innovator who conceived the idea of a network entirely devoted to sports," ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. "Quite simply, none of us would be here today if it wasn't for Bill's passion and all the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit he put into building ESPN in the late 1970s – key aspects of our company culture that still carry on to this day."
Rasmussen's time at ESPN was essential but short-lived. The network launched in 1979 on the back of emerging satellite technology and funding from Getty Oil. The early days of ESPN were programmed with the flagship SportsCenter news and highlights show surrounded by a hodgepodge of live sports rights. Securing early-round NCAA Tournament broadcasts in March of 1980 proved to be a springboard for the fledgling network, helping bring ESPN into the mainstream.
Rasmussen left ESPN in October 1980 just over a year after its formal launch. Despite his brief tenure, his impact on the sports media industry was profound.
#sports #Media #died
2 months ago
The Oklahoma Sooners are a top-10 program heading into the 2026 college football season, according to the preseason AP poll released on Monday. The Sooners came in at No. 10, coming off a 10-3 season and a College Football Playoff berth in 2025.
However, not everyone is on board with the Sooners' top-10 ranking. On "SportsCenter," ESPN's Paul Finebaum said that Oklahoma doesn't belong that high.
"I don't know how people realistically think Oklahoma's going to finish in the top-10," Finebaum said. "You can say whatever you want about what they have in John Mateer... but, Matt, their schedule is beyond brutal."
Former Sooner great Gerald McCoy had an issue with that statement from Finebaum. He tweeted saying that Oklahoma is one of the best programs in the history of college football, and they don't shy away from anyone.
"Schedule?" McCoy posted. "That's your reason, Finebaum? Man, this is the scariest, weakest statement ever. Winning a natty ain't easy. It has to be earned. This is OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL. We ain't worried about no schedule, man. We welcome all smoke!! Top universities, say line it up!! And we are a top university. Line it up with whoever!! Win, lose or draw, we ain't ducking ****** ODY. Home or road."
#Sooners #mccoy
However, not everyone is on board with the Sooners' top-10 ranking. On "SportsCenter," ESPN's Paul Finebaum said that Oklahoma doesn't belong that high.
"I don't know how people realistically think Oklahoma's going to finish in the top-10," Finebaum said. "You can say whatever you want about what they have in John Mateer... but, Matt, their schedule is beyond brutal."
Former Sooner great Gerald McCoy had an issue with that statement from Finebaum. He tweeted saying that Oklahoma is one of the best programs in the history of college football, and they don't shy away from anyone.
"Schedule?" McCoy posted. "That's your reason, Finebaum? Man, this is the scariest, weakest statement ever. Winning a natty ain't easy. It has to be earned. This is OKLAHOMA FOOTBALL. We ain't worried about no schedule, man. We welcome all smoke!! Top universities, say line it up!! And we are a top university. Line it up with whoever!! Win, lose or draw, we ain't ducking ****** ODY. Home or road."
#Sooners #mccoy
2 months ago
One of the most high-profile ESPN employees to fall victim to the network's latest round of layoffs this summer was Karl Ravech.
Ravech had been with the network for over 30 years. He was first an anchor on SportsCenter before he shifted over to being a prominent figure in ESPN's baseball coverage.
For the first time since he was laid off, Ravech touched on his ouster in an interview on "Westwood One Sports Night" with Josh Graham.
Ravech said he doesn't have any hard feelings toward ESPN while also noting the layoffs in general and outpouring of support he has received since have been "surreal."
MORE: Laid-off Karl Ravech still calls MLB game for ESPN
#espn #karl #westwood
Ravech had been with the network for over 30 years. He was first an anchor on SportsCenter before he shifted over to being a prominent figure in ESPN's baseball coverage.
For the first time since he was laid off, Ravech touched on his ouster in an interview on "Westwood One Sports Night" with Josh Graham.
Ravech said he doesn't have any hard feelings toward ESPN while also noting the layoffs in general and outpouring of support he has received since have been "surreal."
MORE: Laid-off Karl Ravech still calls MLB game for ESPN
#espn #karl #westwood
2 months ago
On Monday, Aaron Rodgers had some strong things to say about ESPN. While appearing on ESPN.
Per an ESPN spokesperson, ESPN has no comment regarding Rodgers's comments.
Rodgers's rant initially focused on Dr. Anthony Fauci, as Rodgers did a COVID victory lap — one that glossed over the fact that Rodgers was disingenuous at best when he misled reporters in August 2021 on the question of whether he had received a vaccine. Rodgers then pivoted to ESPN, for not covering Fauci's repeated invocation of the Fifth Amendment at a Senate hearing last Thursday. (Should it have been the lead item on SportsCenter?)
"How much time did the network spend on that?" Rodgers said. "How much time do they spend on my responses every week? On my vaccination status, on Taylor [Swift] and Travis [Kelce's] wedding? Did they do even a minute? Did they do even a minute on Tony Fauci? No, I bet they didn't."
Rodgers also chastised ESPN for not covering the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini situation.
#rodgers #time #even
Per an ESPN spokesperson, ESPN has no comment regarding Rodgers's comments.
Rodgers's rant initially focused on Dr. Anthony Fauci, as Rodgers did a COVID victory lap — one that glossed over the fact that Rodgers was disingenuous at best when he misled reporters in August 2021 on the question of whether he had received a vaccine. Rodgers then pivoted to ESPN, for not covering Fauci's repeated invocation of the Fifth Amendment at a Senate hearing last Thursday. (Should it have been the lead item on SportsCenter?)
"How much time did the network spend on that?" Rodgers said. "How much time do they spend on my responses every week? On my vaccination status, on Taylor [Swift] and Travis [Kelce's] wedding? Did they do even a minute? Did they do even a minute on Tony Fauci? No, I bet they didn't."
Rodgers also chastised ESPN for not covering the Mike Vrabel-Dianna Russini situation.
#rodgers #time #even
3 months ago
Karl Ravech is an ESPN legend with decades at the Worldwide Leader while doing SportsCenter, Baseball Tonight and play-by-play on the air for baseball. But earlier this month, he was among those laid off by the company.
Yet there he was on Thursday night, calling a game on the network between the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. What's up with that? USA TODAY Sports has an answer.
"Despite Ravech being part of the latest round of layoffs at ESPN, a person with knowledge of his status with the network told USA TODAY Sports Thursday evening that Ravech was given the option to call a few select MLB games this summer," wrote John Leuzzi and Kristie Ackert.
There's your answer. And you'll see Ravech more throughout the summer with him calling the 2026 Little League World Series.
Hopefully the confusion has been cleared up here.
#today #sports
Yet there he was on Thursday night, calling a game on the network between the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves. What's up with that? USA TODAY Sports has an answer.
"Despite Ravech being part of the latest round of layoffs at ESPN, a person with knowledge of his status with the network told USA TODAY Sports Thursday evening that Ravech was given the option to call a few select MLB games this summer," wrote John Leuzzi and Kristie Ackert.
There's your answer. And you'll see Ravech more throughout the summer with him calling the 2026 Little League World Series.
Hopefully the confusion has been cleared up here.
#today #sports
3 months ago
Many viewers who tuned in for Thursday night's Major League Baseball game between the Washington Nationals and Atlanta Braves were surprised to see who was in the ESPN broadcast booth.
Karl Ravech had the play-by-play duties alongside color commentator Eduardo Pérez.
The supposedly laid off Karl Ravech is in the booth calling Braves-Nationals for ESPN tonight
pic.twitter.com/HieiM61kgE
— Awful Announcing (awfulannouncing) July 30, 2026
This comes just over a week after Ravech was reportedly part of the layoffs at ESPN. Ravech has been an ESPN anchor, play-by-play announcer, and a huge part of the Worldwide Leader's baseball coverage for 33 years. He learned he was being laid off by a reporter, a tactic that former SportsCenter anchor Dan Patrick called out.
#ravech #Baseball #part
Karl Ravech had the play-by-play duties alongside color commentator Eduardo Pérez.
The supposedly laid off Karl Ravech is in the booth calling Braves-Nationals for ESPN tonight
pic.twitter.com/HieiM61kgE
— Awful Announcing (awfulannouncing) July 30, 2026
This comes just over a week after Ravech was reportedly part of the layoffs at ESPN. Ravech has been an ESPN anchor, play-by-play announcer, and a huge part of the Worldwide Leader's baseball coverage for 33 years. He learned he was being laid off by a reporter, a tactic that former SportsCenter anchor Dan Patrick called out.
#ravech #Baseball #part
3 months ago
Tarik Skubal trade update from ESPN's Jeff Passan makes Tigers' plan clear originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Detroit Tigers, in what could've been the final start of Tarik Skubal's career in Detroit, fell to the Baltimore Orioles in extra-innings.
It wasn't just a sad loss for the Tigers; it might've been the nail in the coffin for Detroit to be sellers this season as well. With just a few days left before the August 3 MLB trade deadline, the Tigers' plan for the deadline has become clear.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan on SportsCenter, the Tigers' plan with Skubal is clear: the back-to-back Cy Young-winning ace is fully expected to be traded in the coming days.
"Yeah, Tarik Skubal is going to be traded," Passan said. "... the expectation is that's going to happen in the next day or two..."
#tigers #passan
The Detroit Tigers, in what could've been the final start of Tarik Skubal's career in Detroit, fell to the Baltimore Orioles in extra-innings.
It wasn't just a sad loss for the Tigers; it might've been the nail in the coffin for Detroit to be sellers this season as well. With just a few days left before the August 3 MLB trade deadline, the Tigers' plan for the deadline has become clear.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan on SportsCenter, the Tigers' plan with Skubal is clear: the back-to-back Cy Young-winning ace is fully expected to be traded in the coming days.
"Yeah, Tarik Skubal is going to be traded," Passan said. "... the expectation is that's going to happen in the next day or two..."
#tigers #passan
3 months ago
It's by far the biggest decision of the 2026 MLB trade deadline: Do the Detroit Tigers -- at 51-58 and six games out of first in the AL Central as of writing this -- keep ace Tarik Skubal for a possible playoff run or should they deal him given that free agency is looming and they could lose him for nothing?
We have a reported answer from ESPN's Jeff Passan on SportsCenter after Skubal may have made his last start in a Tigers uniform on Wednesday: Yup, it's happening.
"Yeah, Tarik Skubal is going to be traded," he said. "The Tigers haven't gone to teams that are interested in him and said as much at this point, but the expectation is that's going to happen in the next day or two."
He cited the fact that the Tigers haven't played so well as of late and that's a factor for the franchise. Here's more:
We'll see if this happens by the Aug. 3 trade deadline and what the Tigers can get for the biggest name on the market who could change a contender's fortunes.
#tarik #biggest #trade
We have a reported answer from ESPN's Jeff Passan on SportsCenter after Skubal may have made his last start in a Tigers uniform on Wednesday: Yup, it's happening.
"Yeah, Tarik Skubal is going to be traded," he said. "The Tigers haven't gone to teams that are interested in him and said as much at this point, but the expectation is that's going to happen in the next day or two."
He cited the fact that the Tigers haven't played so well as of late and that's a factor for the franchise. Here's more:
We'll see if this happens by the Aug. 3 trade deadline and what the Tigers can get for the biggest name on the market who could change a contender's fortunes.
#tarik #biggest #trade
3 months ago
After several years as one of ESPN's most visible personalities, hosting the 6 p.m. SportsCenter and anchoring WNBA Finals coverage, Elle Duncan departed the Worldwide Leader to become the face of Netflix's growing sports venture. She's also been tabbed to lead USA Network's studio coverage for its WNBA broadcasts.
On Monday, Duncan appeared on The Sports Gossip Show podcast and discussed the ever-prevalent and increasingly bizarre coverage surrounding Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. Over the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend, Clark sat down with ESPN's Malika Andrews and discussed how "emotionally exhausting" the constant coverage surrounding her can be.
"I feel like media and journalism have a responsibility to tell the stories," Clark told Andrews, "and a lot of the time you guys are the ones controlling the narratives about what people read and what people talk about. And a lot of that is sometimes so far out of touch with what is reality."
Although Duncan doesn't believe Clark is at fault for how far out of control things have spun, she wants to see the three-time All-Star take more ownership of the situation.
"I would love for it to be very clear to the people who think they are her fans but are using her, if she would say, 'stop that sh*t, I don't want it, I'm tired of it.' As opposed to what we've seen, which is 'the media makes up these narratives, the media makes up this discourse.'
#Media #andrews
On Monday, Duncan appeared on The Sports Gossip Show podcast and discussed the ever-prevalent and increasingly bizarre coverage surrounding Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. Over the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend, Clark sat down with ESPN's Malika Andrews and discussed how "emotionally exhausting" the constant coverage surrounding her can be.
"I feel like media and journalism have a responsibility to tell the stories," Clark told Andrews, "and a lot of the time you guys are the ones controlling the narratives about what people read and what people talk about. And a lot of that is sometimes so far out of touch with what is reality."
Although Duncan doesn't believe Clark is at fault for how far out of control things have spun, she wants to see the three-time All-Star take more ownership of the situation.
"I would love for it to be very clear to the people who think they are her fans but are using her, if she would say, 'stop that sh*t, I don't want it, I'm tired of it.' As opposed to what we've seen, which is 'the media makes up these narratives, the media makes up this discourse.'
#Media #andrews
3 months ago
Linda Cohn leaving ESPN feels like a generation ago after seeing the number of prominent on-air personalities who were laid off this week.
Cohn mutually agreed to part ways with ESPN last month after a tenure that lasted more than three decades. And as the longest-tenured SportsCenter anchor in ESPN history, Cohn received a proper sendoff that was both deserved and earned. Three weeks later, however, ESPN reminded everyone how coldblooded the industry is when they executed their latest round of layoffs. And while everyone understands layoffs are part of the business, ESPN has been condemned for the manner in which they handled those cuts.
"The ESPN layoffs were awful. You hate to see anybody lose their job," Cohn said on her recently launched YouTube show. "It's all bad. When you're laid off, when you're fired, when your salary is cut, when you have to think, 'what do I do now?' Well, the ESPN layoffs, that was awful. What made it even worse, if that could be possible, was the way ESPN PR handled it, or mishandled it, because they treated everyone on this latest firing list with zero respect. Zero. Beginning with Ryan Clark."
"That whole PR nightmare could have been avoided if Ryan Clark was alerted, how about the night before? And how about before he took the set for NFL Live?" Cohn continued. "If you knew there were media outlets going to break the news and you were concerned about Ryan finding out by looking at his phone during the show, then why didn't you just tell him before the show? That is **** bling and fumbling. That buffoonery electrified this story in a negative way even more."
Clark was arguably the most prominent personality laid off by ESPN this week, but it was the fact that he learned his fate during a commercial break on NFL Live that garnered the most headlines. ESPN learned Outkick was set to report the news on Clark's looming layoff while he was on NFL Live Monday afternoon. Not wanting to risk Clark's phone blowing up with news of the layoff while he was on-camera, ESPN decided to let him go during a commercial break.
#espn #live #break
Cohn mutually agreed to part ways with ESPN last month after a tenure that lasted more than three decades. And as the longest-tenured SportsCenter anchor in ESPN history, Cohn received a proper sendoff that was both deserved and earned. Three weeks later, however, ESPN reminded everyone how coldblooded the industry is when they executed their latest round of layoffs. And while everyone understands layoffs are part of the business, ESPN has been condemned for the manner in which they handled those cuts.
"The ESPN layoffs were awful. You hate to see anybody lose their job," Cohn said on her recently launched YouTube show. "It's all bad. When you're laid off, when you're fired, when your salary is cut, when you have to think, 'what do I do now?' Well, the ESPN layoffs, that was awful. What made it even worse, if that could be possible, was the way ESPN PR handled it, or mishandled it, because they treated everyone on this latest firing list with zero respect. Zero. Beginning with Ryan Clark."
"That whole PR nightmare could have been avoided if Ryan Clark was alerted, how about the night before? And how about before he took the set for NFL Live?" Cohn continued. "If you knew there were media outlets going to break the news and you were concerned about Ryan finding out by looking at his phone during the show, then why didn't you just tell him before the show? That is **** bling and fumbling. That buffoonery electrified this story in a negative way even more."
Clark was arguably the most prominent personality laid off by ESPN this week, but it was the fact that he learned his fate during a commercial break on NFL Live that garnered the most headlines. ESPN learned Outkick was set to report the news on Clark's looming layoff while he was on NFL Live Monday afternoon. Not wanting to risk Clark's phone blowing up with news of the layoff while he was on-camera, ESPN decided to let him go during a commercial break.
#espn #live #break
3 months ago
Peter Schrager's 2 p.m. show seems to be sports media's worst-kept secret at this point.
OutKick's Bobby Burack reported that ESPN is expected to announce a new 2 p.m. show hosted by Schrager in the coming week(s). The show itself has been the expected outcome of ESPN's afternoon lineup shuffle since at least May, when The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported that a program built around Schrager was the leading candidate to replace the 2 p.m. edition of SportsCenter.
Schrager's name has been tied to ESPN's afternoon shakeup since almost the moment Around the Horn was canceled. When CNBC's Alex Sherman first reported that ESPN was considering replacing the 2 p.m. SportsCenter, he described the concept as an "all-sports" show rather than another NFL-only hour, and Marchand reported last spring that Schrager doing a show at 2 or 5 p.m. was "pretty likely," floating the idea that he could be "a central figure in some sort of ensemble" rather than a solo act.
Schrager joined ESPN from NFL Network and Fox Sports last April after nearly a decade as one of the faces of Good Morning Football, and quickly became a fixture across Get Up, First Take, NFL Live, and The Pat McAfee Show. He stole the show at McAfee's NFL Draft Spectacular that spring, launched The Schrager Hour podcast with Omaha Productions in the fall, and stepped in as a guest host for Mike Greenberg on Get Up, a run that gave ESPN executives confidence he could anchor an hour of his own, per Marchand's reporting. He's also been candid about missing the three-hour daily runway he had at Good Morning Football, where he could spend eight minutes on whatever topic interested him that day. A solo show would hand him something close to that format again.
The 5 p.m. hour, by contrast, looks like it's staying put. That slot has also been filled by SportsCenter since Around the Horn's cancellation, and while Scott Van Pelt was floated for months as a candidate to take it over, he confirmed on his own podcast in April that he's staying in his late-night role rather than moving. ESPN executive Burke Magnus had pushed hard for a reunion between Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo to anchor the new hour, telling Andrew Marchand it was "a bit of a selfish concept by me" given how big a fan he'd been of their old radio pairing, but Russillo's own schedule — and later move to Barstool — made the setup unlikely. Without a concept he could actually build around, Van Pelt opted to stay with the format that's already earned his SportsCenter 10 Emmy nominations and regularly lands him timely interviews with players and coaches in the immediate aftermath of major games, interviews that simply wouldn't be available to a show airing at 5 p.m. instead of after primetime.
#show #sportscenter #marchand #sports
OutKick's Bobby Burack reported that ESPN is expected to announce a new 2 p.m. show hosted by Schrager in the coming week(s). The show itself has been the expected outcome of ESPN's afternoon lineup shuffle since at least May, when The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported that a program built around Schrager was the leading candidate to replace the 2 p.m. edition of SportsCenter.
Schrager's name has been tied to ESPN's afternoon shakeup since almost the moment Around the Horn was canceled. When CNBC's Alex Sherman first reported that ESPN was considering replacing the 2 p.m. SportsCenter, he described the concept as an "all-sports" show rather than another NFL-only hour, and Marchand reported last spring that Schrager doing a show at 2 or 5 p.m. was "pretty likely," floating the idea that he could be "a central figure in some sort of ensemble" rather than a solo act.
Schrager joined ESPN from NFL Network and Fox Sports last April after nearly a decade as one of the faces of Good Morning Football, and quickly became a fixture across Get Up, First Take, NFL Live, and The Pat McAfee Show. He stole the show at McAfee's NFL Draft Spectacular that spring, launched The Schrager Hour podcast with Omaha Productions in the fall, and stepped in as a guest host for Mike Greenberg on Get Up, a run that gave ESPN executives confidence he could anchor an hour of his own, per Marchand's reporting. He's also been candid about missing the three-hour daily runway he had at Good Morning Football, where he could spend eight minutes on whatever topic interested him that day. A solo show would hand him something close to that format again.
The 5 p.m. hour, by contrast, looks like it's staying put. That slot has also been filled by SportsCenter since Around the Horn's cancellation, and while Scott Van Pelt was floated for months as a candidate to take it over, he confirmed on his own podcast in April that he's staying in his late-night role rather than moving. ESPN executive Burke Magnus had pushed hard for a reunion between Van Pelt and Ryen Russillo to anchor the new hour, telling Andrew Marchand it was "a bit of a selfish concept by me" given how big a fan he'd been of their old radio pairing, but Russillo's own schedule — and later move to Barstool — made the setup unlikely. Without a concept he could actually build around, Van Pelt opted to stay with the format that's already earned his SportsCenter 10 Emmy nominations and regularly lands him timely interviews with players and coaches in the immediate aftermath of major games, interviews that simply wouldn't be available to a show airing at 5 p.m. instead of after primetime.
#show #sportscenter #marchand #sports
3 months ago
Iowa women's basketball continued its quest to attract some of the nation's top talent to Iowa City. On Wednesday, the Hawkeyes offered four-star small forward and the top player out of Arizona in the 2028 class, Taylor Morris.
Morris is rated as the nation's No. 20 player per 2028 SportsCenter NEXT - Super 60 rankings. According to Prep Girls Hoops' 2028 Arizona rankings, Morris is the No. 1 prospect in the state.
A 6-foot-4 prospect, Morris has averaged 14.7 points per game during her 55 games played at the varsity level in two seasons at Mesa High School, per MaxPreps. Morris also plays for Mountain West Premier, which is the same Nike EYBL program as fellow Hawkeyes prospect Sienna Williams.
Along with Iowa, Morris already has a long list of offers from premier college basketball programs such as Texas Tech, BYU, Missouri, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, and Big Ten foes Oregon, Rutgers, Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and UCLA.
Here's a look at Morris' highlights:
#morris #prospect #hawkeyes #premier
Morris is rated as the nation's No. 20 player per 2028 SportsCenter NEXT - Super 60 rankings. According to Prep Girls Hoops' 2028 Arizona rankings, Morris is the No. 1 prospect in the state.
A 6-foot-4 prospect, Morris has averaged 14.7 points per game during her 55 games played at the varsity level in two seasons at Mesa High School, per MaxPreps. Morris also plays for Mountain West Premier, which is the same Nike EYBL program as fellow Hawkeyes prospect Sienna Williams.
Along with Iowa, Morris already has a long list of offers from premier college basketball programs such as Texas Tech, BYU, Missouri, Alabama, Colorado, Florida, and Big Ten foes Oregon, Rutgers, Michigan, Ohio State, Wisconsin, and UCLA.
Here's a look at Morris' highlights:
#morris #prospect #hawkeyes #premier
3 months ago
Tom Dundon continues to apply his Hurricanes playbook to the Trail Blazers.
On Tuesday, the organization laid off the majority of its broadcast team including ***** yst Michael Holton, who has been with Trail Blazers for nearly 20 years. Hosts Neil Everett and Jamie Hudson and ***** ytics expert Tom Haberstroh were also let go.
A spokesperson for the Trail Blazers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The news was first reported by Forbes.
A Portland native, Everett was on ESPN for 23 years and anchored late-night SportsCenter for 12 years before he left the network in 2023; he had featured on Blazers broadcasts from 2021 to 2025.
Haberstroh is a prominent writer with a statistical bent and has run a popular Substack after departing Yahoo Sports.
#everett #tuesday
On Tuesday, the organization laid off the majority of its broadcast team including ***** yst Michael Holton, who has been with Trail Blazers for nearly 20 years. Hosts Neil Everett and Jamie Hudson and ***** ytics expert Tom Haberstroh were also let go.
A spokesperson for the Trail Blazers did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The news was first reported by Forbes.
A Portland native, Everett was on ESPN for 23 years and anchored late-night SportsCenter for 12 years before he left the network in 2023; he had featured on Blazers broadcasts from 2021 to 2025.
Haberstroh is a prominent writer with a statistical bent and has run a popular Substack after departing Yahoo Sports.
#everett #tuesday
3 months ago
Former Florida Gators and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow has signed a multi-year contract extension with ESPN, the sports broadcasting network announced July 20.
"I love this game and getting to talk about it every Saturday with the crews on SEC Network and ESPN is a gift I don't take lightly," Tebow said in a statement. "SEC fans bring a passion that never gets old, and I'm grateful I get to keep doing this alongside people who feel like family."
The statement mentions that Tebow will continue to appear on SEC Nation, the SEC Network's weekly Saturday morning pregame show he has appeared on for the past decade, in addition to doing work on ESPN's College Football Live and SportsCenter.
Watch SportsCenter with Disney+
"Tim is one of the legendary players in the history of college football and he will continue to be a fixture in our coverage on SEC Network and across ESPN," ESPN president of content Burke Magnus said in a statement. "Tim's unrivaled experience in the SEC combined with his knowledge and genuine passion for the game make him one of the sport's most credible voices, particularly among the SEC Nation fanbase."
#tebow #statement #college
"I love this game and getting to talk about it every Saturday with the crews on SEC Network and ESPN is a gift I don't take lightly," Tebow said in a statement. "SEC fans bring a passion that never gets old, and I'm grateful I get to keep doing this alongside people who feel like family."
The statement mentions that Tebow will continue to appear on SEC Nation, the SEC Network's weekly Saturday morning pregame show he has appeared on for the past decade, in addition to doing work on ESPN's College Football Live and SportsCenter.
Watch SportsCenter with Disney+
"Tim is one of the legendary players in the history of college football and he will continue to be a fixture in our coverage on SEC Network and across ESPN," ESPN president of content Burke Magnus said in a statement. "Tim's unrivaled experience in the SEC combined with his knowledge and genuine passion for the game make him one of the sport's most credible voices, particularly among the SEC Nation fanbase."
#tebow #statement #college
3 months ago
Cam Newton and Karl Ravech are among the major stars exiting in the latest round of layoffs at ESPN, sources told The Athletic Tuesday.
Ravech, a 31-year veteran of the network, served as ESPN's lead MLB play-by-play announcer, covered college basketball and anchored SportsCenter. He called the Dodgers-Phillies game Monday before reportedly learning his position was in jeopardy. When contacted by The Athletic Tuesday, Ravech said he had not yet been informed of his status.
NFL MVP Newton, longtime SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd, injury ***** yst Stephania Bell, former All-Pro linebacker and studio host Bart Scott and NFL Network ***** yst Charles Davis are also being impacted by the cuts at ESPN and NFL Network, according to The Athletic.
Newton joined ESPN as an NFL ***** yst in October 2024 after an 11-season NFL career that included a Super Bowl run with the Carolina Panthers. After initially appearing on First Take, he signed an expanded contract with the network in August 2025.
On Monday, ESPN announced it was parting ways with NFL ***** yst Ryan Clark and additional cuts are expected among behind-the-scenes staff.
#Athletic #analyst
Ravech, a 31-year veteran of the network, served as ESPN's lead MLB play-by-play announcer, covered college basketball and anchored SportsCenter. He called the Dodgers-Phillies game Monday before reportedly learning his position was in jeopardy. When contacted by The Athletic Tuesday, Ravech said he had not yet been informed of his status.
NFL MVP Newton, longtime SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd, injury ***** yst Stephania Bell, former All-Pro linebacker and studio host Bart Scott and NFL Network ***** yst Charles Davis are also being impacted by the cuts at ESPN and NFL Network, according to The Athletic.
Newton joined ESPN as an NFL ***** yst in October 2024 after an 11-season NFL career that included a Super Bowl run with the Carolina Panthers. After initially appearing on First Take, he signed an expanded contract with the network in August 2025.
On Monday, ESPN announced it was parting ways with NFL ***** yst Ryan Clark and additional cuts are expected among behind-the-scenes staff.
#Athletic #analyst
3 months ago
Karl Ravech, as well as a slew of other ESPN broadcasters and **** ysts, are expected to be impacted by the network's latest round of layoffs, sources told The Athletic Tuesday.
Ravech, a 31-year veteran of the network, served as ESPN's lead MLB play-by-play announcer, covered college basketball and anchored SportsCenter. He called the Dodgers-Phillies game Monday before reportedly learning his position was in jeopardy. When contacted by The Athletic Tuesday morning, Ravech said he had not yet been informed of his status.
The reported list of cuts extends across ESPN and NFL Network, reportedly including NFL MVP Cam Newton, longtime SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd, injury **** yst Stephania Bell, former All-Pro linebacker and studio host Bart Scott and NFL Network **** yst Charles Davis, according to The Athletic.
The layoffs follow ESPN's decision Monday to part ways with NFL **** yst Ryan Clark , with additional cuts expected among behind-the-scenes staff. Many of the reductions are reportedly connected to ESPN's integration with NFL Network, including the expected departure of NFL insider Tom Pelissero, one of the network's top reporters, according to the outlet.
A memo from ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro to employees Tuesday morning, obtained by The Independent, did not identify those impacted by the layoffs but said the cuts followed a review of the company's teams, resources and structure after integrating acquired NFL **** ets.
#espn
Ravech, a 31-year veteran of the network, served as ESPN's lead MLB play-by-play announcer, covered college basketball and anchored SportsCenter. He called the Dodgers-Phillies game Monday before reportedly learning his position was in jeopardy. When contacted by The Athletic Tuesday morning, Ravech said he had not yet been informed of his status.
The reported list of cuts extends across ESPN and NFL Network, reportedly including NFL MVP Cam Newton, longtime SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd, injury **** yst Stephania Bell, former All-Pro linebacker and studio host Bart Scott and NFL Network **** yst Charles Davis, according to The Athletic.
The layoffs follow ESPN's decision Monday to part ways with NFL **** yst Ryan Clark , with additional cuts expected among behind-the-scenes staff. Many of the reductions are reportedly connected to ESPN's integration with NFL Network, including the expected departure of NFL insider Tom Pelissero, one of the network's top reporters, according to the outlet.
A memo from ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro to employees Tuesday morning, obtained by The Independent, did not identify those impacted by the layoffs but said the cuts followed a review of the company's teams, resources and structure after integrating acquired NFL **** ets.
#espn
3 months ago
ESPN parted ways with Ryan Clark on Monday in an awkward on-air dismissal during "NFL Live." On Tuesday, more layoffs swept through Bristol, and former NFL MVP Cam Newton was among those let go.
The move sparked an immediate pile-on from the NFL community on X, with fans and media personalities believing that firing Newton was the right decision, and some even brought up his viral comments on Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman from the 2025 season.
Newton wasn't the only recognizable face to get fired on Tuesday. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, longtime **** yst Charles Davis, NFL **** yst Bart Scott, SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd, injury and fantasy expert Stephania Bell, and MLB play-by-play announcer Karl Ravech were all let go as part of the cuts.
Before his dismissal, Newton had served as Stephen A. Smith's primary Monday co-host on "First Take" during the football season, replacing Shannon Sharpe in that role last year.
With both Newton and Clark gone, Smith now enters the 2026 football season without either of his primary debate partners on the show's highest-rated day of the week. ESPN has said it will look for a permanent replacement for Newton on Mondays, though no candidates have been named.
#analyst
The move sparked an immediate pile-on from the NFL community on X, with fans and media personalities believing that firing Newton was the right decision, and some even brought up his viral comments on Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman from the 2025 season.
Newton wasn't the only recognizable face to get fired on Tuesday. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, longtime **** yst Charles Davis, NFL **** yst Bart Scott, SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd, injury and fantasy expert Stephania Bell, and MLB play-by-play announcer Karl Ravech were all let go as part of the cuts.
Before his dismissal, Newton had served as Stephen A. Smith's primary Monday co-host on "First Take" during the football season, replacing Shannon Sharpe in that role last year.
With both Newton and Clark gone, Smith now enters the 2026 football season without either of his primary debate partners on the show's highest-rated day of the week. ESPN has said it will look for a permanent replacement for Newton on Mondays, though no candidates have been named.
#analyst
3 months ago
Karl Ravech, as well as a slew of other ESPN broadcasters and ***** ysts, are expected to be impacted by the network's latest round of layoffs, sources told The Athletic Tuesday.
Ravech, a 31-year veteran of the network, served as ESPN's lead MLB play-by-play announcer, covered college basketball and anchored SportsCenter. He called the Dodgers-Phillies game Monday before reportedly learning his position was in jeopardy. When contacted by The Athletic Tuesday morning, Ravech said he had not yet been informed of his status.
The reported list of cuts extends across ESPN and NFL Network, reportedly including NFL MVP Cam Newton, longtime SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd, injury ***** yst Stephania Bell, former All-Pro linebacker and studio host Bart Scott and NFL Network ***** yst Charles Davis, according to The Athletic.
The layoffs follow ESPN's decision Monday to part ways with NFL ***** yst Ryan Clark , with additional cuts expected among behind-the-scenes staff. Many of the reductions are reportedly connected to ESPN's integration with NFL Network, including the expected departure of NFL insider Tom Pelissero, one of the network's top reporters, according to the outlet.
A memo from ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro to employees Tuesday morning, obtained by The Independent, did not identify those impacted by the layoffs but said the cuts followed a review of the company's teams, resources and structure after integrating acquired NFL ***** ets.
#network #ravech #tuesday #reportedly
Ravech, a 31-year veteran of the network, served as ESPN's lead MLB play-by-play announcer, covered college basketball and anchored SportsCenter. He called the Dodgers-Phillies game Monday before reportedly learning his position was in jeopardy. When contacted by The Athletic Tuesday morning, Ravech said he had not yet been informed of his status.
The reported list of cuts extends across ESPN and NFL Network, reportedly including NFL MVP Cam Newton, longtime SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd, injury ***** yst Stephania Bell, former All-Pro linebacker and studio host Bart Scott and NFL Network ***** yst Charles Davis, according to The Athletic.
The layoffs follow ESPN's decision Monday to part ways with NFL ***** yst Ryan Clark , with additional cuts expected among behind-the-scenes staff. Many of the reductions are reportedly connected to ESPN's integration with NFL Network, including the expected departure of NFL insider Tom Pelissero, one of the network's top reporters, according to the outlet.
A memo from ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro to employees Tuesday morning, obtained by The Independent, did not identify those impacted by the layoffs but said the cuts followed a review of the company's teams, resources and structure after integrating acquired NFL ***** ets.
#network #ravech #tuesday #reportedly
3 months ago
Florida Gators legend Tim Tebow has signed a multi-year contract extension with ESPN and will continue as a college football ****** yst on SEC Network's traveling pre-game show SEC Nation, according to a press release from the network.
The Gator Great, who won two national championships and a Heisman Trophy with the Orange and Blue, will also remain as a mainstay in ESPN's College Football Playoff programming, providing his ****** ysis and insight across ESPN networks.
"I love this game and getting to talk about it every Saturday with the crews on SEC Network and ESPN is a gift I don't take lightly," said Tebow. "SEC fans bring a passion that never gets old, and I'm grateful I get to keep doing this alongside people who feel like family."
Additionally, Tebow will continue to bring his expert commentary on various high-profile ESPN shows throughout the year, including College Football Live, SportsCenter and more.
"Tim is one of the legendary players in the history of college football and he will continue to be a fixture in our coverage on SEC Network and across ESPN," said Burke Magnus, President of Content. "Tim's unrivaled experience in the SEC combined with his knowledge and genuine passion for the game make him one of the sport's most credible voices, particularly among the SEC Nation fanbase."
#game #nation
The Gator Great, who won two national championships and a Heisman Trophy with the Orange and Blue, will also remain as a mainstay in ESPN's College Football Playoff programming, providing his ****** ysis and insight across ESPN networks.
"I love this game and getting to talk about it every Saturday with the crews on SEC Network and ESPN is a gift I don't take lightly," said Tebow. "SEC fans bring a passion that never gets old, and I'm grateful I get to keep doing this alongside people who feel like family."
Additionally, Tebow will continue to bring his expert commentary on various high-profile ESPN shows throughout the year, including College Football Live, SportsCenter and more.
"Tim is one of the legendary players in the history of college football and he will continue to be a fixture in our coverage on SEC Network and across ESPN," said Burke Magnus, President of Content. "Tim's unrivaled experience in the SEC combined with his knowledge and genuine passion for the game make him one of the sport's most credible voices, particularly among the SEC Nation fanbase."
#game #nation
3 months ago
Tim Tebow is not leaving ESPN anytime soon.
ESPN announced on Monday, July 20 that it has agreed to a multi-year contract extension with the Heisman Trophy winner that will keep the former Florida quarterback on its networks.
"I love this game and getting to talk about it every Saturday with the crews on SEC Network and ESPN is a gift I don't take lightly," Tebow said in a statement. "SEC fans bring a passion that never gets old, and I'm grateful I get to keep doing this alongside people who feel like family."
REQUIRED READING: Will Stein confident on Kentucky football rebuild: 'I know what it takes'
The statement mentions that Tebow will continue to appear on SEC Nation, the SEC Network's weekly Saturday morning pregame show that he has appeared on for the last decade, in addition to doing work on College Football Live and SportsCenter.
#doing
ESPN announced on Monday, July 20 that it has agreed to a multi-year contract extension with the Heisman Trophy winner that will keep the former Florida quarterback on its networks.
"I love this game and getting to talk about it every Saturday with the crews on SEC Network and ESPN is a gift I don't take lightly," Tebow said in a statement. "SEC fans bring a passion that never gets old, and I'm grateful I get to keep doing this alongside people who feel like family."
REQUIRED READING: Will Stein confident on Kentucky football rebuild: 'I know what it takes'
The statement mentions that Tebow will continue to appear on SEC Nation, the SEC Network's weekly Saturday morning pregame show that he has appeared on for the last decade, in addition to doing work on College Football Live and SportsCenter.
#doing
3 months ago
The Washington Commanders' interest in Brandon Aiyuk appears to be fading, according to multiple NFL insiders, as the disgruntled 49ers wide receiver's social media activity continues to work against him.
ESPN's Adam Schefter addressed the situation on his podcast, indicating Washington is unlikely to pursue Aiyuk even as it looks to add a veteran receiver.
"I honestly believe that he has scared off teams like Washington," Schefter said. "I think they're looking at the social media posts and saying, 'Is this the kind of guy that we want to bring in right now and be a part of our franchise?'"
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler had a similar **** sment earlier this week on SportsCenter, pointing to Aiyuk's online behavior as a deterrent for teams around the league — Washington included.
"There are several veterans they could look at," Fowler said. "I don't think it's going to be Brandon Aiyuk at this stage."
ESPN's Adam Schefter addressed the situation on his podcast, indicating Washington is unlikely to pursue Aiyuk even as it looks to add a veteran receiver.
"I honestly believe that he has scared off teams like Washington," Schefter said. "I think they're looking at the social media posts and saying, 'Is this the kind of guy that we want to bring in right now and be a part of our franchise?'"
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler had a similar **** sment earlier this week on SportsCenter, pointing to Aiyuk's online behavior as a deterrent for teams around the league — Washington included.
"There are several veterans they could look at," Fowler said. "I don't think it's going to be Brandon Aiyuk at this stage."
