Ryan Clark Using NFL Agent To Help With ESPN Contract Is An Obvious Conflict of Interest

Ryan Clark re-signed with ESPN earlier this month for $2 million a year. The negotiations were challenging. Clark wanted more than double what ESPN offered him. He let his contract run out and provided sorrowful updates on his negotiations via social media.

Clark turned to agent David Mulugheta for assistance and representation. That's notable. Mulugheta is not a broadcast agent. He's an NFL agent. He represents active football players – players whom Clark covers.

"In negotiations I knew I wasn’t them, but I am me. So, I went about it my way with the help of @DavidMulugheta , because I kept score every time I walked on set. I felt like I had to kill every second of every show just to get what I deserve. Mission remains the same, but the space I move in is different. I’m happy for the journey," Clark posted on X.

Mulugheta responded to Clark's post with the following quote tweet:

"@Realrclark25 is a "one of one". Not many like him and definitely one of the most authentic people I’ve ever met. Like I’ve said before ESPN is lucky to have him and sports media as a whole is better because of him. #Top2AndHeNot2"

Clark's partnership with Mulugheta is, by definition, a conflict of interest. 

ESPN pays Clark to be an "NFL analyst." He is now the sole analyst on the "Monday Night Football" halftime show, where he's tasked to analyze players objectively.

But he's compromised. 

He's in the same clique as other Mulugheta clients –  namely Deshaun Watson, C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love, Christian Wilkins and Jalen Ramsey. Clark recently used his platform as an ESPN "analyst" to provide those very Mulugheta clients with unwavering support.

Last November, Clark used the oft-cited race card to defend Watson against Brady Quinn, who jabbed Watson for facing nearly 30 allegations of sexual misconduct.

Clark has Watson's back:

And C.J. Stroud's back.

Clark was among the most vocal defenders of Stroud's when he skipped the Manning Passing Academy last year after committing to showing up.

Get this: fellow Mulugheta client Jalen Ramsey later partnered with Clark in defense of Stroud backing out of the event at the last minute. 

There was no bigger fan of Mulugheta favorite Jordan Love this season than Ryan Clark:

Clark's allegiance with Mulugheta's' clientele is no surprise to Sports Radio 610 host Landry Locker. Last April, Locker questioned how ESPN could promote Clark as a balanced analyst given his ties to an active NFL agent.

"There’s a lot of good things that come with Ryan Clark, but he’s not gonna give you fair criticism of a David Mulugheta guy, whether it’s the Deshaun Watson thing, whether it’s back in the Justin Fields days," Locker said. 

[Clark] is bought and paid for. This is part of the Mulugheta experience, man."

OutKick reached out to Ryan Clark via text message about his decision to turn to Mulugheta to help negotiate his contract with ESPN, in what is an obvious conflict of interest. 

He responded by saying, "Write as you see fit" and for OutKick to never text him again.

Never, ever.

Now, Ryan Clark is far from the only analyst whose personal relationships influence their coverage of players.

Robert Griffin III used his ESPN platform throughout the season to defend Lamar Jackson, whom he calls his "little brother," against strawmen. 

RGIII also suggested the 49ers put Kyle Shanahan on the hot seat after admitting he doesn't like Shanahan personally for benching him in Washington. 

The likes of Domonique Foxworth and Chris Canty are loyal to the whims of social media and Black Twitter, a la their odd and perpetual criticisms of Josh Allen. 

But unique it is for an analyst to be in a financial partnership with an agent who profits from the players said analyst covers. ESPN looks second-rate for allowing an employee to do an agent's bidding on ESPN airwaves.

As for David Mulugheta, helping Clark stay at ESPN was wise. 

Having an analyst firmly in his back pocket  – to drive up prices and shape narratives during free agency – gives Mulugheta a competitive advantage over other NFL agents.