Particle.news
Download on the App Store
11 ARTICLES
·
2w ago

Damien Woody to Leave ESPN After 15 Years

ESPN says roster overlaps from its NFL Network acquisition prompted staffing cuts, with Woody finishing his contract and planning to continue working in media.

Image
Image
Image
An image collage containing 1 images, Image 1 shows Former NFL player Damien Woody attends day 3 of SiriusXM At Super Bowl LVI on February 11, 2022 in Los Angeles, California

Overview

  • Damien Woody confirmed that ESPN did not renew his contract, a report first published Wednesday, August 12, 2026, and he will remain on air through the end of August by his choice.
  • Woody spent 15 years at ESPN after a 12-year NFL career and was a regular contributor on shows such as SportsCenter, NFL Live, Get Up, First Take and Fantasy Football Now.
  • ESPN leadership has attributed this round of departures to redundancies created while integrating the NFL Network, RedZone and NFL Fantasy into ESPN following the acquisition earlier this year.
  • The network has handled exits unevenly, with Woody receiving advance notice and the option to finish his contract while other on-air talent, including Ryan Clark, were removed more abruptly during live broadcasts.
  • The moves reshape ESPN’s NFL on-air lineup ahead of the season and could push veteran analysts like Woody to seek new roles at rival networks, podcasts or independent media while viewers adjust to a different roster.