Jul 31, 2026, 1:50 AM CUT

Why is laid-off Karl Ravech still calling MLB games on ESPN? Here’s all you need to know

BASEBALL TONIGHT, Karl Ravech, John Kruk, Harold Reynolds, David Ortiz, aired March 5, 2006, for Orlando, Florida, 1990-, ESPN / Courtesy: Everett Collection ESPN2/Courtesy Everett Collection ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xESPN2/CourtesyxEverettxCollectionx TCDBATO EC003

Karl Ravech was laid off by ESPN last week. Then he called a baseball game for them on Thursday night. Here is how that happened.

The 61-year-old worked the Atlanta Braves-Washington Nationals game for ESPN on Thursday, July 31, despite being informed of his dismissal during the network's recent round of layoffs.

Sports media reporter Andrew Marchand broke the story on X on July 31, writing that Ravech "has still been laid off" but was given the option to continue working summer dates.

According to a source with direct knowledge cited by The Athletic on July 31, Ravech was offered the chance to work additional games because the layoff came mid-season. He accepted. He is expected to call the August 12 New York Yankees-Seattle Mariners game and will also work some Little League World Series coverage. Ravech has been ESPN's lead voice on the Little League World Series for years.

ESPN declined to comment, per The Athletic.

The circumstances around how Ravech learned of his dismissal added to the unusual nature of the situation. A reporter called him Tuesday morning with the news before ESPN had told him directly. Shortly after, an ESPN executive confirmed Ravech's dismissal.

He had spent 33 years at the network. He was making well into seven figures annually. His primary role had been lead play-by-play announcer on Sunday Night Baseball, a package ESPN lost to NBC ahead of this season. The network still holds around 30 MLB games spread across the year. Ravech will continue calling some of them.

ESPN's layoffs have drawn attention for how they're being handled. Analyst Ryan Clark was told he was being let go during a commercial break on NFL Live while he was still on set.

Karl Ravech is not the only high-profile ESPN voice caught up in the layoffs

The cuts at ESPN have hit several recognizable names across multiple sports.

Jeff Van Gundy, a well-known NBA analyst, was one of the people who lost his job. Bob Wischusen, who was the main radio commentator for Monday Night Football, was also laid off. Longtime sports anchor John Anderson and reporter Jeff Darlington were laid off too.

The layoffs are part of a bigger change at ESPN. The company is moving more money and staff toward its new streaming service, which started earlier this year. ESPN has not officially said how many jobs were cut.

Ravech’s case is one of the most noticeable results of the ESPN changes. He was laid off, but he is still appearing on air.

Do you think ESPN handled Karl Ravech’s layoff in the right way? Tell us what you think in the comments.

Written by

Sneha Abraham