Ryan Clark returns to the Mothership.
After announcing earlier this month that he was unable to reach a new deal to remain with ESPN, Clark gave the network a verbal agreement to remain with the network. The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand first reported the news..
Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports said the new contract stipulates: worth more than $2 million annually.
On Valentine’s Day, Clark announced that he and ESPN were at an impasse.
“Three years ago, I signed an extension with ESPN. I really appreciated the extra time. “We disagreed and that’s okay. I left no doubt and went on a mission to end all conversations about myself in this industry,” Clark tweeted. , attached a video with a longer explanation.
“I knew it would take effort. I knew effort wouldn’t guarantee results, but I kept trying. Here we are. The season is over. Contract. has passed. It’s time to make a decision. It will happen either way. The mission remains the same. I want to be the best at it. Everyone should. Today more than usual. Motivated! I’m still the same #UndraftedFreeAgent!”
Clark, 44, has been an NFL analyst for ESPN since 2015.
After starring at LSU, he played defensive back for the Giants, Commanders and Steelers during his NFL career from 2002 to 2014.
Clark said in a video earlier this month that he “felt like I was being played” during the final round of contract negotiations with ESPN.
“And honestly, the worst thing for a New Orleanian is to feel like you’re being played,” he said.
Clark also hosts the podcast “Pivot” with fellow former NFL players Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder, and appeared on The CW’s “Inside the NFL” last season.
