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ESPN Parts Ways With 15-Year Analyst After Recent Talent Shakeup
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Damien Woody was one of the top offensive lineman in the NFL during his 12-year career with the New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, and New York Jets.
He was also a highly respected NFL analyst for ESPN in his post-football career, but his run with the company came to an abrupt end this week, according to The Athletic’s Andrew Marchand.
“A longtime staple of ESPN’s NFL coverage, Damien Woody is out at the network, Woody told The Athletic,” Marchand reported . “Woody’s contract was not renewed. He will appear on the air for the remainder of the month, including Thursday, by his choice.
“ESPN views these decisions differently from the recent layoffs, which included Karl Ravech and Ryan Clark. Ravech, too, is still on the air as he is scheduled to call Wednesday’s New York Yankees-Seattle Mariners game and the Little League World Series.”
In an interview with The Athletic, Woody appeared to be in good spirits despite the news of his impending departure.
“Being at ESPN for 15 years, it’s been an absolute joy,” Woody said.
Woody had been with ESPN since 2011, appearing on multiple shows including “Get Up,” “First Take,” “SportsCenter,” and “Fantasy Football Now.”
Woody is the latest in a long line of recent layoffs that also included Clark, Ravech, Tom Pelissero, Charles Davis, Cam Newton, Stephania Bell, David Lloyd, and Bart Scott.
It’s possible Woody, who was making seven figures according to The Athletic, lands at FS1. The company tried to poach him from ESPN a few years ago to pair with Craig Carton on the network’s morning show but failed after ESPN gave him a significant raise to stick around.
He will also likely have other options on the table as well.
“At the end of the day, I just want to talk ball,” Woody said.
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