ESPN star rips network for laying off Ryan Clark: ‘The bosses know I’m not happy’ - PennLive.com
ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has publicly expressed his frustration over the network's decision to lay off NFL analyst Ryan Clark. Smith praised Clark's professional capabilities and criticized the negative social media discourse surrounding the departure.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the ongoing instability in sports media and the influence of high-profile talent on network public relations.
One of the biggest stars at ESPN is upset that the network moved on from Ryan Clark this week.
Stephen A. Smith responded to the news that Clark was laid off by ESPN during his podcast on Tuesday. It’s safe to say Smith is not happy with the decision.
“My brother, Ryan Clark, the person who I consider to be arguably the best NFL analyst in America, is no longer a member of ESPN. And I can’t even tell y’all how much that hurts,” Stephen A. Smith said . “He’s a man, so he’s going to handle it the way men do. And we understand that. But I’m going to miss him.
“I am not happy about this decision one bit. The bosses know I’m not happy about this decision. I’ve made that very, very clear.”
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