Ryan Clark, formerly of ESPN, has asserted that the network published a profile featuring WNBA player Sophie Cunningham's comments on transgender athletes to garner favor with OutKick following his termination. Clark, who was fired by ESPN more than three months prior to these claims, detailed his ousting on the "All The Smoke" podcast.
Clark suggested that ESPN timed the Cunningham story, which generated controversy for its stance on trans athletes in women's sports, as a strategic move to shift public perception after his departure. He alleged that ESPN leaked news of his firing to OutKick as part of this strategy.
OutKick, however, disputes Clark's narrative. According to the outlet, it learned of Clark's impending layoff as part of broader budget cuts at ESPN. OutKick states it informed ESPN of its intention to report the news, and the network subsequently terminated Clark during a commercial break of "NFL Live," fearing he would discover the information online if not handled directly.
OutKick contends that ESPN did not leak the news to them and that they had multiple independent sources. The outlet also claimed ESPN attempted to prevent their reporting of Clark's firing. The profile of Sophie Cunningham, which addressed her views on transgender athletes in women's sports, was reportedly conducted in February but held until July to align with the WNBA season.
Clark's tenure at ESPN reportedly ended due to what sources described as "toxic" behavior, including making false statements, public criticism of other personalities, and a perceived lack of viewership and revenue generation that outweighed his value to the brand. OutKick argues that Clark's claims of racism and coordinated leaks are a way to avoid accountability for his own conduct. Ryan Clark stands on set before the game at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif.