Bart Scott Reveals How He Learned About ESPN Layoff

NEW YORK, NY - JANUARY 29: Football Player Bart Scott attends the 2014 Super Bowl Kickoff Players Party at Pranna Restaurant on January 29, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Robin Marchant/Getty Images)

Bart Scott Reveals How He Learned About ESPN Layoff

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Aug 14, 2026 11:00 PM ET

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Despite constantly firing hot takes on "Get Up" and "SportsCenter," Bart Scott was let go by ESPN this summer.

ESPN made the tough decision last month to part ways with a handful of NFL broadcasters and insiders, including Ryan Clark, Cam Newton and Tom Pelissero. The network even opted against renewing longtime analyst Damien Woody's contract.

While on "The Joint Venture Show" this week, Scott opened up about his sudden departure from ESPN and how he learned of his fate.

"I was going in to my radio show. They called and were like wish we can do it in person. I’m like, no you don’t, [expletive]. So, it was more we’re not going to renew you. My contract is expiring in September. I found out that way, and it’s part of the business," Scott said, via Barrett Media.

"I don’t know what they had to do when they had to trim the fat. I had never been there where my contract is expiring. Because usually when it’s a year [out], I get renewed. It is what it is, man. Sometimes losing your job can be some of the biggest blessings because it forces you to try and do something else and sometimes step out of your comfort zone."

Ryan Clark also had a rough exit.

Despite being an 11-year veteran at ESPN, Ryan Clark learned he was being let go during an episode of "NFL Live."

“Sources at ESPN say the reason they told Clark during the show was due to media inquiries into his departure and a fear that the news would leak out before they could inform him. Since after the Super Bowl in February, sources had told The Athletic that Clark’s job could be in jeopardy. Last week, The Athletic learned that Clark was likely to be let go,” Andrew Marchand of The Athletic wrote. “ESPN’s plan was to do that on Tuesday morning, but after receiving calls on the matter chose to inform him during his show as they did not want him to read it online before being told in person.”

If we had to guess, Clark and Scott will have no trouble landing on their feet. As for ESPN, it's only a matter of time before analysts step up and become household names this NFL season.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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