Karl Ravech’s ESPN exit isn’t done making headlines following a re-appearance calling an MLB game just days after being laid off. Katie Nolan is now speaking out about the visuals of the decision.
What We Know: ESPN laid off Karl Ravech in July after 33 years with the network. He joined in 1993 and became the voice of Sunday Night Baseball, Baseball Tonight and the College World Series. Despite the layoff, ESPN has continued to use him in the broadcast booth for Major League Baseball games and the upcoming Little League World Series. Nolan raised the situation on her podcast, Casuals with Katie Nolan and says it feels as though ESPN is exploiting Ravech’s loyalty to his former employer.
What They Said: (All quotes from Casuals with Katie Nolan)
Katie Nolan feels ESPN could be exploiting Karl Ravech’s loyalty to the company: “When companies would start hiring people part time, so they wouldn’t have to give them health insurance. Then when they would reach a certain amount of hours, they would have to fire them. But then they would wait however long they had to, and then hire those people back. It just felt like they were skirting the obligations of having employees. This kind of feels like that to me. ESPN doesn’t deserve to get Karl Ravech for a discount or for free. He worked there for a really long time, and shows his loyalty to that company. This to me feels like that’s being exploited.”
Katie Nolan encourages Karl Ravech to speak openly about being a part of ESPN layoffs: “It’s really weird to lay somebody off and then give them a microphone and put them out there. I want to just encourage you, Karl Ravech, if you’re listening. Speak your truth, big dog. Say what you got to say. If they don’t want to hear it, well, that’s their fault. That’s not your employer anymore. So, you don’t have to do right by them.”
What Remains Unclear: ESPN hasn’t responded publicly to Nolan’s comments. It also remains unknown whether Ravech will address the layoff himself. On his own podcast, “Dirt From the Dugout,” he has so far avoided the topic.
What It Means: It was odd to see Ravech at work on ESPN in the days following his dismissal by the network. There’s no doubt that it left many scratching their heads about the situation. However, if ESPN was in any bind and Revech agreed to do the work, how can you question that? Nolan’s comments spotlight tensions between networks and veteran talent. Meanwhile, they raise questions about loyalty in sports media. But if Ravech chooses to move forward with the work, that’s ultimately his decision.
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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.