Karl Ravech was part of ESPN’s layoffs in July but will call additional games for the network this season. Brett Davis / Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
July 30, 2026 Updated 10:03 pm EDT
Karl Ravech was laid off — and he’s back.
Ravech, who was informed he had been let go during ESPN’s layoffs last week, worked the Atlanta Braves-Washington Nationals game for ESPN on Thursday night.
After 33 years at ESPN, Ravech was given the opportunity to work some summer dates, according to a source with direct knowledge of the circumstances who was granted anonymity to speak on a sensitive subject. Ravech will call the Aug. 12 New York Yankees-Seattle Mariners game and will be on some Little League World Series action. He has been the lead on the Little League World Series.
ESPN declined comment.
The ESPN layoffs have been a rather unusual affair. On Monday, July 20, analyst Ryan Clark was told he was being let go during a break on an “NFL Live” show on which he was appearing. ESPN chose to tell him during the program because it feared outlets would put it online before he heard from the organization.
Ravech learned he was being let go when a reporter called him that Tuesday morning. Shortly after, an ESPN executive informed Ravech that he was dismissed.
Ravech, 61, was making well into seven figures a year, according to the sources. He had been the lead play-by-play announcer on “Sunday Night Baseball” and called college basketball.
ESPN lost “Sunday Night Baseball” to NBC for this season but still has around 30 games spread out during the season. Ravech will still call some, even after being let go.
Jul 31, 2026
Connections: Sports Edition
Spot the pattern. Connect the terms
Find the hidden link between sports terms
Play today’s puzzle