Ryan Clark was fired from ESPN during a broadcast of “NFL Live” on July 20. Now, days later, journalist and former CNN anchor Don Lemon is not only defending Clark, but he’s also likening it to his own firing several years ago. This comes after the former ESPN host broke his silence.
Lemon took to his official TikTok account on July 22 to react to ESPN’s firing of Clark, and it happened as the 46-year-old was on air. He told his 2.4 million followers on the platform, “Okay, I want you to listen here. Imagine getting fired in front of millions of people while you’re in the middle of a broadcast. That’s what ESPN did to Ryan Clark this week.”
After that, Lemon was understanding of the fact that companies sometimes have to lay off employees, saying, “And I know that layoffs happen, networks restructure. I get it. But the way that this one went down? I mean, it shows how these companies treat their staff.”
In criticizing the company, the former CNN host stated, “ESPN didn’t need to cut Ryan Clark at that exact moment, but they were scared that the story would break online before they got to control the narrative. So instead of calling him on the phone or having a private meeting, they let him find out in the middle of a broadcast.”
The Former CNN Host Likened Clark’s Experience To His Own
Lemon continued his commentary about Clark’s firing from ESPN by alluding to his 2023 firing after 17 years with the network. He said, “Now, just imagine that happening to you. I can imagine it happening to me because something very similar happened to me. He spent over 11 years at that network.”
The 60-year-old journalist went on to highlight the issue with the way Clark was fired, noting that the networks don’t want to treat their employees like people.
According to him, “Here’s my problem with all of this: We keep hearing that these big media corporations want authenticity from their talent, but when it comes down to treating talent like a human being, suddenly, it’s just business.”
Referring to his situation with CNN, Lemon said, “That’s what they said about me: ‘It’s just a business decision.’ That’s what they told my colleagues.”
Don Lemon Also Highlighted Other ESPN On-Air Personalities Who Faced Layoffs
Near the end of the video, Lemon highlighted the fact that the issue with ESPN doesn’t start and stop with Clark, although the way he was let go was the most egregious. This is the case, as others were also reportedly laid off, including Cam Newton, Bart Scott, and Charles Davis.
The “Don Lemon Show” host said, “Guys who gave this network everything are being treated like disposable items.”
He continued, “This kind of stuff is why talent is flocking to independent media and starting their own shows. These companies don’t care about the people who make their business possible, and everyone can see it. And you can see it in the ratings. Trust.”
Ryan Clark Has Broken His Silence
The morning after his unceremonious ESPN firing, Clark broke his silence with a post on X. He began by “sending prayers and love” to everyone who had been impacted by the layoffs at the network, noting all they dedicated to their work.
According to him, “So many of you have poured your life into that company, & I know how you’re feeling right now. My hope is as this door closes another opens for you all. God bless!”
Since then, he’s also reposted comments from Stephen A Smith, who wrote, “Business is business. I understand that. But losing Ryan Clark?” Clark quoted the post, saying, “My dog.” Then, he quoted a report from TMZ Sports that stated he wasn’t forced to leave the broadcast before its end after learning of his firing.
He claimed, “I wasn’t forced? ‘I ask, should I be done now?’ The answer was ‘yes.’”
Pat McAfee Has Addressed The Layoffs
Pat McAfee, one of the top analysts at ESPN, reacted to the news of layoffs at the company on the July 21 broadcast of his show. Per NBC Sports, McAfee, who is reportedly set to have his pay raised to $60 million per year, began, “We hate any time this happens.”
He continued, “Obviously this is terrible. We don’t like that. But we are very honored that we are still partnered with ESPN and Disney for the good of sport and the future.”
McAfee then defended his show, saying, “The first time we licensed the show through ESPN, one of these happened, we got blamed.”
He continued, “OK, OK. Thank you. I feel like you don’t fully understand budgets and where things are coming from, but I do appreciate that. This time, we’re getting blamed as well. Which I guess I can understand, but I mean, there’s billions and billions of dollars in these companies, and hard decisions have to get made. And we don’t like any of them, and we hope we’re an asset to the company going forward.”