ESPN Overpays For Ryan Clark, Who Still Wanted More Money

Ryan Clark's contract with ESPN expired the Monday after the Super Bowl, on February 12. ESPN offered Clark an extension. He declined and posted on social media that he was worth more money.

He complained via X that ESPN re-signed Chris "Mad Dog" Russo before him. He threatened to leave the company. Clark intended to drum up pressure on social media, specifically Black Twitter, to force the hand of ESPN. 

Ultimately, the two sides agreed to terms. 

ESPN announced an extension with Clark on Monday. 

"A leading voice on ESPN, #NFL analyst @Realrclark25 will continue to appear prominently across ESPN studio shows," said the network.

Reports say ESPN will pay Clark $2 million a year. Sources tell OutKick Clark asked for more, hoping a competing offer would materialize. One never did. 

ESPN's offer was his highest.

Clark's new salary puts him ahead of fellow "NFL analyst" Mina Kimes, who signed a contract worth $1.7 million annually last year.

Clark wanted ESPN to pay him as if he's among the upper class of sports media. He's not. He's a former mediocre jock who caters to current athletes and pretends to understand the social dynamics of society. 

Ryan Clark is not Shannon Sharpe or Chris Russo, both of whom make quantifiable contributions to ESPN viewership.  Clark is no different from the 20 or so other former players who have a voice at ESPN.

At least Kimes and her representation can sell that she's the only Asian woman analyzing football at the company – and they do use that card as leverage. 

Clark is painfully replaceable, hence the lack of interest elsewhere. 

Still, ESPN feared another Maria Taylor saga in which a messy contract negotiation period turns into a public spat with internal leaks accusing the network of racism.

Just wait until Stephen A. Smith's contract expires, and he argues Pat McAfee earns more than them because he is white. Smith accused the network of favoring McAfee on account of a racial bias last week.

"McAfee doesn't have to be as polished as me. He's white. I'm black," said Smith. 

Race-card privilege – there's nothing like it in 2024.

Sources add that Ryan Clark is pushing ESPN to give him more hosting opportunities. He'd like to fill in more frequently for Laura Rutledge on "NFL Live" and Mike Greenberg on "Get Up."

Clark struggles with the teleprompter as studio host for "Inside the NFL" on the CW. So you wouldn't think ESPN would give him the same opportunity.

Then again, this is the same network that made Elle Duncan the face of its gambling app. Puzzling decisions are quite the norm.

How does all of this pandering and overpaying for analysts sit with Dan Orlovsky, the premiere NFL analyst at ESPN? He's taking notes. 

Literally: