Former NFL player Bart Scott has been let go from ESPN as the company undergoes significant layoffs. Scott, 45, had been serving as an NFL analyst for the network, appearing on shows like "Get Up" and co-hosting an ESPN New York radio program with Chris Carlin.
Scott's departure is part of ESPN's first major round of firings in three years. The layoffs are largely attributed to "redundancies" following ESPN's acquisition of distribution rights for NFL Network and NFL RedZone six months prior. Disney acquired these rights in exchange for a 10 percent ownership stake in ESPN.
In an internal memo, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro stated that the company had evaluated its teams, resources, and structure to position itself for the future. He acknowledged that these decisions led to difficult job impacts, with most tied to the NFL asset acquisition but others affecting different parts of the company. Pitaro expressed commitment to treating impacted employees with compassion and respect, offering support during their transition.
Other notable personalities who have reportedly been laid off include Ryan Clark, Cam Newton, Karl Ravech, and Tom Pelissero. Clark's dismissal reportedly occurred during a live broadcast of "NFL Live," with him finding out during a commercial break. He later addressed the situation on social media, sending well wishes to those affected by the layoffs.