Stephen A. Smith said Tuesday he is “not happy” about ESPN’s decision to lay off longtime NFL analyst Ryan Clark and wished he had enough influence to stop it.
“I am not happy about this decision one bit,” Smith said on his YouTube show. “The bosses know I’m not happy about this decision. I’ve made that very, very clear.”
Smith, the longtime “First Take” host, called Clark “arguably the best NFL analyst in America” and said the network’s programming will suffer without him.
“I just wish I could’ve been in enough of a powerful or influential position to prevent his exit from happening,” Smith said. “It hurts. It really does.”
He added that he understands the business realities of layoffs and that “these are the kind of things that happen when layoffs happen,” while stressing he is sad for ESPN and “First Take” more than for Clark himself.
“I’m not sorry for you because I know you going to be just fine,” Smith said of Clark. “I’m sorry for us that we ain’t gonna have the opportunity to continue to have you on the airwaves for ESPN and specifically First Take. It ain’t going to be the same without you.”
Clark, a former Pittsburgh Steelers safety and Super Bowl champion, had been with ESPN since 2015. He was a regular on “Monday Night Countdown,” “Get Up,” “First Take,” “NFL Live” and other programs. He also co-hosts “The Pivot” podcast.
ESPN notified Clark of the decision while he was appearing on “NFL Live” on Monday, according to multiple reports. The move is part of a broader round of cuts tied largely to the company’s integration of NFL Network assets after its acquisition earlier this year. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro has said most of the reductions stem from that overlap, though other departments are also affected.
Stephen A. Smith just revealed live on his podcast that ESPN executives know he’s unhappy about Ryan Clark getting fired, adding that he wishes he had enough influence and power to prevent the decision:
"I am not happy about this decisions one bit, the bosses know I'm not happy… pic.twitter.com/JH3vhpg64k
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) July 21, 2026
Other notable departures in the same round of cuts include longtime baseball broadcaster Karl Ravech, NFL insider Tom Pelissero, SportsCenter anchor David Lloyd, injury analyst Stephania Bell, NFL analyst Charles Davis and “First Take” contributor Cam Newton.
Smith earlier posted on X: “Business is business. I understand that. But losing Ryan Clark? See you at 12 pm ET on YouTube.”
Clark replied simply, “My Dog.”
In a separate post, Clark wrote: “Sending prayers and love to all those laid off today by ESPN. So many of you have poured your life into that company, & I know how you’re feeling right now. My hope is as this door closes another opens for you all. God bless!”
Smith and Clark developed a close working relationship and friendship over years of on-air debates and appearances. Smith has publicly backed Clark during previous controversies and once argued on air that the Steelers should have interviewed Clark for their head coaching vacancy.
Clark has not announced his next move. Smith predicted another network will move quickly to hire him.
