ESPN Icon Karl Ravech Blindsided by Layoffs After Phillies-Dodgers Broadcast
ESPN fired longtime MLB broadcaster Karl Ravech as part of a wave of layoffs, catching him and his colleagues off guard. Ravech, who joined ESPN in 1993 and became the network's lead MLB play-by-play voice in 2022, called the Philadelphia Phillies vs. Los Angeles Dodgers game on Monday night unaware it would be his final assignment. Fellow broadcaster Buster Olney revealed on ESPN New York that neither of them knew the broadcast would be their last together. The layoffs sparked speculation about ESPN's spending priorities, particularly as Pat McAfee reportedly works toward a lucrative new contract worth $60-65 million per year, while Stephen A. Smith earns $21 million annually. ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro faces decisions on reaching financial targets amid the network's $25-30 billion valuation. Ravech's abrupt departure ends a 33-year tenure that included hosting 'Baseball Tonight' and calling the College World Series and Little League World Series.
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