ESPN’s Summer Purge Claims Another Victim: Damien Woody Out
Damien Woody Leaves ESPN After 15 Years: What Happened and What’s Next
The Big News
ESPN and Damien Woody are parting ways after 15 years together. The former NFL player turned popular analyst told The Athletic that his contract was not renewed. But don’t worry — you’ll still see him on your screen for the rest of the month because he chose to stay through his scheduled appearances.
Important Point: This wasn’t a sudden firing like some recent ESPN departures. Woody’s contract simply wasn’t renewed, and both sides agreed he’d finish out the month on air.
Who Is Damien Woody?
Before he was talking football on TV, Woody played the game at the highest level:
- 12 seasons in the NFL (1999–2010)
- Teams: New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, New York Jets
- 2 Super Bowl wins with the Patriots (2001, 2003)
- 2002 Pro Bowl selection
- Overcame a childhood stutter to become a confident communicator
His ESPN Journey
Woody became a familiar face across ESPN’s biggest shows:
| Show | Role |
|---|---|
| Get Up | Regular analyst |
| First Take | Frequent contributor |
| Fantasy Football Now | Expert insights |
| SportsCenter | NFL analysis |
How He Almost Left — 4 Years Ago
- FS1 wanted him badly — They planned to pair him with radio host Craig Carton on a flagship morning show
- ESPN blocked the move — Woody had one year left on his contract
- ESPN gave him a new extension — Nearly seven figures per year
- Carton’s show flopped — Canceled after a short run due to poor ratings
Important Point: Woody credits former executives Norby Williamson and David Roberts, current boss Seth Markman, plus hosts Mike Greenberg ("Get Up") and Stephen A. Smith ("First Take") for his long run at ESPN.
How This Differs from Recent ESPN Layoffs
ESPN has made several high-profile cuts recently, but Woody’s situation is different:
| Person | Situation |
|---|---|
| Ryan Clark | Laid off mid-show during "NFL Live" — didn’t finish the episode |
| Karl Ravech | Laid off but still working scheduled events (Yankees game, Little League World Series) |
| Bart Scott | Laid off; contract was expiring like Woody’s |
| Damien Woody | Contract not renewed — staying on air by choice through month’s end |
What Woody Said
"Being at ESPN for 15 years, it’s been an absolute joy."
"At the end of the day, I just want to talk ball."
After being told a few weeks ago, Woody and ESPN talked about him staying — but no deal was reached. Now he’s exploring new opportunities.
Summary
- Damien Woody is leaving ESPN after 15 years
- Contract not renewed — not a sudden firing
- Still on air through the month by his choice
- Former NFL star — 12 seasons, 2 Super Bowls, Pro Bowler
- Overcame stutter to become top analyst
- ESPN kept him 4 years ago after FS1 tried to hire him
- Different from recent layoffs (Clark, Ravech, Scott)
- Next chapter: "I just want to talk ball"
FAQ
Was Damien Woody fired?
No. His contract simply wasn’t renewed. This is different from being laid off or fired mid-contract. He chose to finish his scheduled appearances this month.
Why didn’t ESPN renew his contract?
The article doesn’t state a specific reason. These decisions are usually based on budget, programming changes, or strategic direction. Woody said both sides discussed him staying but couldn’t reach an agreement.
Where might Woody go next?
He said he’ll "pursue other avenues" and "just want to talk ball." Given his popularity, other networks (like FS1, NBC, CBS, or streaming platforms) could be interested.
How is this different from Ryan Clark’s departure?
Ryan Clark was laid off suddenly during a live show and didn’t finish the episode. Woody’s contract ended naturally, and he’s staying on air by choice for the remainder of the month.
What was Woody’s biggest accomplishment at ESPN?
Beyond 15 years on major shows, Woody overcame a childhood stutter to become a go-to NFL analyst — a personal triumph he’s spoken about openly.