Tom Pelissero, 30-year veteran and SportsCenter mainstay fired as ESPN’s brutal wave of layoffs continues
Tom Pelissero, one of NFL Network’s top insiders, is expected to be laid off by ESPN in a shake up that also sees legendary broadcaster Karl Ravech let go.
Pelissero has been with the network since 2017, and has established a reputation for breaking major news around the league.
ESPN opted to tie down his fellow insider, Ian Rapoport, to a multi-year deal earlier in 2026, which may have paved the way for the broadcaster to part ways with Pelissero.
NFL Network was acquired by ESPN in a deal confirmed in January.
Ravech, meanwhile, has been laid off after more than 30 years with the ‘Worldwide Leader in Sports’.
He joined ESPN in 1993, and had served as the lead play-by-play voice for its for baseball coverage since 2022.
Before taking that role, Ravech appeared primarily on SportsCenter and Baseball Tonight, and provided commentary for the Little League World Series.
He has also worked across the College World Series, college basketball and golf tournaments.
The 61-year-old called the MLB game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies on July 20, before being let go.
The departures of Pelissero and Ravech were reported a day after ESPN laid off NFL analyst Ryan Clark as part of their latest shake up on Monday.
David Lloyd, a SportsCenter mainstay, and Stephania Bell have also been let go.
Lloyd was one of ESPN’s longest serving on-air personalities, joining as an anchor in 1997.
Bell was an ESPN injury expert who joined the network in 2008.
She had contributed to multiple programs, and was one of the first people to make medical coverage a regular part of sports broadcasting.
Andrew Marchand of The Athletic updated his initial report later on Tuesday to reveal that Charles Davis will also be let go from NFL Network.
Davis was a longtime draft analyst for the platform, and will remain at CBS, where he was recently elevated to their No. 1 college football analyst.
More behind-the-scenes personnel will likely be affected by layoffs. Most of the other dismissals are expected at NFL Network.
Disney, the parent company of ESPN, is also expected to conduct a round of layoffs.
Clark, who was informed of his departure while live on the air, shared a message of support to others who have been let go.
“Sending prayers and love to all those laid off today by ESPN,” he posted on X.
“So many of you have poured your life into that company, and I know how you’re feeling right now.
“My hope is as this door closes another opens for you all. God bless!”
Amid the layoffs in Bristol, ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro addressed employees in a memo shared Tuesday, and obtained by Business Insider.
ESPN president addresses layoffs in company email
“Over the past several months, we’ve made significant progress integrating the NFL assets that we acquired into ESPN,” Pitaro began.
“Throughout this process, we have taken the time to carefully evaluate our collective teams, resources and organizational structure to best position us for the future.
“As a result, we had to make some difficult decisions about job impacts that we will be communicating today.
“While most of the job impacts are tied to the acquisition, we will also notify colleagues in other parts of the company today that their positions have been impacted.
“We are committed to treating employees with compassion and respect and to providing support as they navigate this transition.
“Even in moments like these, the strength of ESPN comes from our people, our teamwork and our shared mission to serve sports fans.”
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