ESPN’s Summer Purge Claims Another Big Name: Damien Woody Out
ESPN Parts Ways with Longtime NFL Analyst Damien Woody After 15 Years
The Big News in Simple Terms
Damien Woody—a familiar face on ESPN’s NFL shows for the last 15 years—is leaving the network. His contract wasn’t renewed, but he’ll still be on TV for the rest of the month because he wanted to finish strong.
Important Point: This isn’t the same as the recent layoffs at ESPN. The network says Woody’s situation is different from people like Karl Ravech and Ryan Clark who were let go as part of cost-cutting.
Who Is Damien Woody? (The Short Version)
Before he talked football on TV, Woody played football—really well.
- 12 seasons in the NFL
- Two Super Bowl wins with the New England Patriots
- Pro Bowl selection in 2002
- Played for: Patriots, Detroit Lions, New York Jets
But his journey to the microphone wasn’t easy. He overcame a childhood stutter to become one of ESPN’s go-to analysts on shows like:
- Get Up
- First Take
- Fantasy Football Now
- SportsCenter
How We Got Here: The Timeline
- 15 years ago – Woody joins ESPN as an analyst
- 4 years ago – FS1 (a rival network) tries hard to hire him for a morning show with radio host Craig Carton
- ESPN blocks the move – Woody had a year left on his contract, so ESPN could say "no"
- ESPN gives him a new deal – They pay him nearly seven figures (that’s close to $1 million a year) to stay
- Carton’s show flops – Canceled quickly due to low ratings
- A few weeks ago – ESPN tells Woody his contract won’t be renewed
- Now – Woody finishes his last month on air, then moves on
People Woody Thanks for His Success
Woody name-dropped several folks who helped him along the way:
| Role | Names |
|---|---|
| Former ESPN Executives | Norby Williamson, David Roberts |
| Current Boss | Seth Markman |
| On-Air Partners | Mike Greenberg (Get Up), Stephen A. Smith (First Take) |
What’s Different About This Exit?
ESPN wants everyone to know: this wasn’t a layoff.
| Recent Layoffs | Woody’s Situation |
|---|---|
| Karl Ravech (still calling Yankees game & Little League World Series) | Contract simply not renewed |
| Ryan Clark (told during a break, didn’t finish the show) | Chose to stay on air for the month |
| Bart Scott (contract expired, also let go) | Mutual discussions about staying happened, but no deal |
Important Point: Woody says, "At the end of the day, I just want to talk ball." Translation: He loves analyzing football and will find a new place to do it.
Summary
- Damien Woody is leaving ESPN after 15 years as an NFL analyst
- His contract wasn’t renewed—but it’s not considered a layoff
- He’ll finish the month on air by choice
- Former NFL player (12 seasons, 2 Super Bowls, Pro Bowler) who overcame a stutter
- ESPN paid him big money to stay 4 years ago when FS1 tried to poach him
- He credits executives and co-hosts for his long run
- Woody plans to keep talking football somewhere new
FAQ
Is Damien Woody fired or laid off?
No. ESPN says his contract simply wasn’t renewed, and they distinguish this from the recent layoffs. Woody also chose to stay on air for his final month.
How long was Woody at ESPN?
15 years. He joined after retiring from a 12-year NFL career.
What shows was he on?
Get Up, First Take, Fantasy Football Now, SportsCenter, and other NFL coverage.
Why did ESPN pay him so much to stay 4 years ago?
FS1 wanted to pair him with Craig Carton for a flagship morning show. ESPN blocked the move (he had time left on his contract) and gave him a new, lucrative extension.
What’s next for Woody?
He says he just wants to "talk ball"—so expect him to pop up on another sports network, podcast, or digital platform soon.