Former ESPN analyst Ryan Clark has claimed the network timed the release of comments made by basketball player Sophie Cunningham regarding transgender athletes to coincide with his firing. Clark alleges this strategy was intended to divert negative attention from his dismissal.
Clark, who was fired on July 20, stated on the 'All The Smoke' podcast that Cunningham's remarks, which criticized the inclusion of transgender athletes in women's sports, were published the day after his termination. He believes this timing was a deliberate move by ESPN.
According to Clark, the network strategically leaked news of his impending dismissal to the conservative sports website Outkick, which then published the story. He suggests that by releasing Cunningham's controversial interview shortly thereafter, ESPN aimed to shift the media narrative.
"Sophie Cunningham says something and they [Outkick] say, 'A great brand switch for ESPN. Ryan Clark was fired this week and now Sophie Cunningham leads the news,'" Clark told podcast host Matt Barnes. "That's what they wanted. That's why [ESPN] leaked it to [Outkick]."
Clark previously voiced similar sentiments in September on 'The Breakfast Club' podcast, accusing ESPN of deliberately leaking his firing to Outkick to embarrass him. He argued that unlike other laid-off employees who were informed privately, he was told on-air and his dismissal was made public by a publication likely to be critical of him.
An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment on Clark's allegations when contacted by The Daily Mail.