Karl Ravech had a surprisingly sanguine response to being laid off at ESPN after more than three decades as one of the network’s biggest stars.
‘I haven’t really commented on it much,’ the 61-year-old told The Josh Graham show this week. ‘I think it’s sort of apparent what’s happened there. I certainly have literally no ill will to a company that’s provided me with a life that has exceeded any expectation I had coming out of Needham High School or Ithaca College and the experiences I’ve had.’
Ravech primarily hosted baseball tonight and handled play-by-play duties for ESPN’s MLB coverage, but although he is no longer a full-time employee, he will continue to do baseball broadcasts for the remainder of the season. He also plans on calling the Little League World Series from Williamsport, Pennsylvania, later this month.
Always humble and grateful, Ravech expressed his genuine appreciation for the kind words he received after learning he was part of ESPN’s latest round of layoffs.
‘I think the most surreal part has been the notes of gratitude, the sort of notes of frustration that I’ve received in the process,’ Ravech said. ‘All of those things, when you’re doing what we do, you never, ever think about the impact that you’ve had on people. I’ll be honest with you, that part has been so overwhelming and gratifying and heartwarming.’
The layoffs, which also included NFL analyst Ryan Clark, arrived as ESPN and Pat McAfee have been negotiating an extension that would pay his production company $60 million annually, according to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand. McAfee produces his own show and licenses it to the Worldwide Leader, so he is responsible for paying his crew out of whatever he receives from ESPN.
Karl Ravech listens as MLB commissioner Rob Manfred speaks during Baseball Tonight
Karl Ravech, Kiley McDaniel, Eduardo Pérez, Kyle Peterson and Chris Burke broadcast on ESPN during the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft at Coca-Cola Roxy in Atlanta
Last month, NFL great JJ Watt left McAfee momentarily dumfounded with a blunt question about the host’s massive salary.
The Houston Texans legend was appearing via satellite to receive a ‘Good Guy’ award from the show but quickly cut off McAfee’s preamble to inquire about the latest downsizing at ESPN.
‘Slow, slow news day over there on the ESPN airwaves, huh?’ the smirking Watt asked McAfee & Co. ‘I mean, besides the fact that you’re getting $100 million… Did they keep anybody? Or is everybody fired to pay you? I’m trying to figure that out.’
McAfee was left briefly stunned as his panel howled in the background during the discussion. He then collected himself and joked that Watt was going to ‘lose the award’ he was about to receive.
‘We do not like that,’ McAfee said as laughter continued in the background. ‘We do not appreciate that. That is the narrative, and I’m certainly taking it on the shins. The boys and I are very proud of the work that we have done. Thanks.’
A former NFL punter who licenses his talk show to ESPN, McAfee is paid $30 million by the network annually, according to Marchand.
