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ESPN Cuts On-Air Talent Including Pelissero, Ravech, Clark and Newton Amid NFL Media Integration
ESPN conducted layoffs on July 21, 2026, that included Tom Pelissero, Karl Ravech, Ryan Clark and Cam Newton. President Jimmy Pitaro tied most of the reductions to integrating NFL Media acquired by Disney in 2025. Disney also cut staff at Pixar and National Geographic.
Jul 21, 11:43 AM·1m read2 sources
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Targeted cutsConsolidation
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ESPN laid off several on-air personalities on July 21, 2026, including Tom Pelissero, Karl Ravech, Ryan Clark and Cam Newton. The cuts form part of a broader restructuring tied to the network's integration of NFL Media. ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro notified staff in a memo the same day.
He wrote that the company had made significant progress integrating the NFL assets acquired by Disney in 2025. Pitaro said the process required an evaluation of teams, resources and organizational structure, which produced difficult decisions on job impacts. Most of the positions affected relate directly to the acquisition, the memo stated.
Pitaro added that colleagues in other parts of the company also received notice that their roles had been eliminated. He said the company would treat employees with compassion and provide support during the transition. The ESPN reductions coincide with separate Disney staff cuts that include hundreds of positions at Pixar and dozens at National Geographic.
