OutKick first confirmed the details of Clark's exit, revealing that executives pulled the plug on the Super Bowl champion while he was actively co-hosting "NFL Live" on live television.After learning The Mothership had tossed his broadcast partner into the corporate meat grinder, Smith went straight to his YouTube show and let it rip.ESPN PARTING WAYS WITH NFL ANALYST RYAN CLARK AHEAD OF NETWORK'S FIRST SUPER BOWL BROADCAST"My brother, Ryan Clark, a person that I consider to be arguably the best NFL analyst in America, is no longer a member of ESPN," a visibly distraught Smith told his online audience."And I can't even tell y'all how much that hurts."Network brass originally planned to notify the gridiron star on Tuesday.SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 06: ESPN reporter and analyst Stephen A.Smith is seen on the set of "First Take" on February 06, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
(Photo by Aaron M.Sprecher/Getty Images) (Getty Images)Ryan Clark is being let go by ESPN after more than 11 years with the network, OutKick has learned.
(Ric Tapia/Getty Images)However, after OutKick's very own Dan Zaksheske and Bobby Burack contacted ESPN PR about an impending story detailing the dismissal, executives rushed to yank Clark off the broadcast so he would not read about his firing on social media.EXCLUSIVE: ESPN TO PART WAYS WITH CAM NEWTON AS PART OF TALENT LAYOFFS THAT ALSO INCLUDED RYAN CLARKSmith revealed that Bristol management actually approached him before pulling the trigger on Clark.Yet, despite Smith being the ratings magnet on the network, his pleas to protect his colleague were ignored."Was I asked what I thought what my feelings were? Yes, I was," Smith admitted during his stream."Of course I said we have to keep them.
But I don't get to make those decisions.And I don't get to ignore the fiscal and financial circumstances and ultimate ramifications that come with the job."Smith made it clear that he confronted top bosses directly.ESPN LOSES SOLE EXECUT...