The axe has fallen at ESPN, and Cam Newton is the latest—and biggest—name to get the chop. The former Carolina Panthers quarterback, who brought his electric personality to First Take, is out as the network continues a sweeping round of layoffs.
According to OutKick's Bobby Burack, Newton is the last major figure to be let go in this wave of cuts. "Mina Kimes is safe. Newton was the last big name on the layoff list," Burack reported, adding that a few smaller departures are still trickling in but nothing that will shake the sports world like this one.
The news comes less than 24 hours after it was revealed that Ryan Clark, a staple of NFL Live, was also shown the door. Clark was reportedly informed of his dismissal during his final episode on July 21, a brutal blow for the former Pittsburgh Steelers star. Now, Newton joins a growing list that includes MLB announcer Karl Ravech and NFL insider Tom Pelissero.
ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro addressed the cuts in a company-wide statement obtained by Awful Announcing. "Over the past several months, we’ve made significant progress integrating the NFL assets that we acquired into ESPN," Pitaro wrote. "As a result, we had to make some difficult decisions about job impacts that we will be communicating today." He emphasized that while most of the job losses are tied to the NFL acquisition, other areas of the company are also affected. "We are committed to treating employees with compassion and respect," he added.
The move has sparked immediate backlash from fans. Many took to social media to blast ESPN for cutting Newton, calling it a bad move that strips the network of one of its most dynamic voices. Newton, known for his unfiltered takes and quarterback rankings—including a recent list that had Matthew Stafford at the top—was a fan favorite on the morning debate show.
Newton's departure raises questions about how ESPN will reshape its roster of analysts. With big personalities like Clark and Newton out, the network is clearly pivoting toward a leaner, more streamlined lineup. Whether that means more airtime for existing talent or a fresh wave of hires remains to be seen.
For now, the sports world is left to digest the loss of yet another iconic voice from the Disney-owned network. Newton, who retired from the NFL in 2020 after a storied career that included an MVP award and a Super Bowl appearance, had carved out a niche as a candid and often provocative commentator. His exit marks the end of an era for ESPN's football coverage.
As the dust settles, all eyes are on Pitaro and his team to see how they fill the void left by these high-profile departures. One thing is clear: the landscape of sports media just got a little less colorful.
