97.1 The Ticket host Mike Valenti wasted no time on Monday tearing into the explaination by Ryan Clark following his departure from ESPN. The comments made by Clark on The Pivot struck a nerve with Valenti as predictable.
What We Know: ESPN cut Ryan Clark last week amid broader layoffs tied to its NFL Network integration. Clark later addressed the exit on The Pivot podcast, insisting he was fired rather than laid off. That explanation set off Valenti, who blasted Clark Monday on The Mike Valenti Show with Rico. Valenti didn’t buy Clark’s framing and said so repeatedly.
What They Said: (All quotes from 97.1 The Ticket)
Mike Valenti on Ryan Clark departing ESPN: “I’m done with him. He is a delusional, race baiting loser. He got got. He’s doing exactly what we all knew he would do when he got let go. Play the victim, inject race into it, and then in a delusional maraschino cherry topper, act as if he is a Zion broadcaster of football.”
Mike Valenti in enjoying witnessing the aftermath of Ryan Clark’s departure from ESPN: “Dude, you could walk the streets and nobody would even know you’re on ESPN. Nobody watches that show. It’s insanity. I am enjoying it because it’s just showing you who he is and what he is. It’s five stars. We’ll read again.”
Mike Valenti doesn’t buy into Ryan Clark saying he was defending the culture at ESPN: “Good riddance. I was defending the culture. What are you, Malcolm X? It’s ridiculous. Can you imagine? That’s like David [The Mike Valenti Show with Rico producer] having a sports take and then going into the microphone to be like, guys, I’m defending the culture. No, you’re not. You’re talking sports.”
What Remains Unclear: Clark nor ESPN has not commented on Valenti’s remarks. Clark also hasn’t responded directly to the radio host. Meanwhile, his next career move remains unannounced.
What It Means: Valenti’s rant adds another loud voice to the Clark fallout. The most vocal have been the ones who have seemingly celebrated Clark’s exit. Sports radio thrives on this kind of unfiltered reaction, and Valenti delivered it once again. For Clark, the criticism piles onto an already messy exit with an unknown future lying ahead.
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John Mamola is Barrett Media’s sports editor and daily sports columnist. He brings over two decades of experience (Chicago, Tampa/St Petersburg) in the broadcast industry with expertise in brand management, sales, promotions, producing, imaging, hosting, talent coaching, talent development, web development, social media strategy and design, video production, creative writing, partnership building, communication/networking with a long track record of growth and success. He is a five-time recognized top 20 program director in a major market via Barrett Medi’s Top 20 series and has been honored internally multiple times as station/brand of the year (Tampa, FL) and employee of the month (Tampa, FL) by iHeartMedia. Connect with John by email at John@BarrettMedia.com.