Why is Karl Ravech still on ESPN baseball broadcasts? Veteran reporter continues to call games after layoff announcement

Why is Karl Ravech still on ESPN baseball broadcasts? Veteran reporter continues to call games after layoff announcement originally appeared on The Sporting News .

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Earlier in July, longtime MLB broadcaster Karl Ravech was one of the notable names reportedly laid off by ESPN in the network's widespread cuts.

Ravech joined the likes of Ryan Clark and Tom Pelissero among the high-profile journalists, broadcasters and more to be let go by ESPN.

However, despite that news, baseball fans were left a bit confused on Thursday night when Ravech was still in the booth alongside Eduardo Perez for ESPN's broadcast of Nationals vs. Braves.

Here's why Ravech is still making ESPN appearances despite being laid off by the network.

MORE: Full list of the big names among ESPN's recent layoffs

Why is Karl Ravech still on ESPN baseball broadcasts?

Considering the prior reports of him being laid off by ESPN, Ravech's appearance in the booth for Thursday's Braves vs. Nationals matchup left some viewers confused as to why he was still working for the network.

The supposedly laid off Karl Ravech is in the booth calling Braves-Nationals for ESPN tonight 🤨 pic.twitter.com/HieiM61kgE

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 30, 2026 Multiple reports, however, indicated afterward that Ravech was laid off, but will still be working for ESPN for select dates over the rest of baseball season.

Ryan Glassppiegel reported  that Ravech "will still be working some dates for ESPN in the coming weeks." Then, Andrew Marchand added further details, confirming that Ravech was, in fact, laid off, but "was given the option to work some more summer dates and has chosen to do that."

Per Marchand, Ravech is still slated to be in the booth for ESPN's coverage of the Little League World Series, along with a Yankees game in August.

When was Karl Ravech laid off by ESPN?

On July 21, reports began indicating that ESPN was parting ways with a collection of well-known names.  The changes, according to  The Athletic , were part of "broader cuts" at Disney, which owns ESPN. Layoffs were expected to include NFL Network personalities, with Disney and ESPN now in control of the network.

ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro confirmed the layoffs, which included Ravech.

MORE: Why Ryan Clark was unceremoniously fired by ESPN

How long has Karl Ravech been at ESPN?

Ravech has been a part of ESPN for 33 years, a longtime play-by-play broadcaster who had been the voice of "Sunday Night Baseball" until NBC took over that slot this season.

Ravech has also often been the voice of the Little League World Series and covered college basketball, while also appearing on "SportsCenter" and "Baseball Tonight."

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