Loading episode…
Loading episode…

Episode context
Listen here, open the show page, or watch the linked video version without starting over in search.
Ryan Clark has been speaking his truth on his abrupt exit from ESPN, but he had more in the tank for us. The Super Bowl champ, Emmy winner and Pivot Podcast co-founder sat down with Matt to get into all of it: how he found out, ESPN’s first offer on his last contract, and the Zoom with Howard Schultz that happened days later. Ryan also tells us how the Pivot Sports Show came together in six weeks, why Chan and Fred are all in, and the one thing he says he hasn’t admitted publicly about Monday Night Football. Plus Coach Tomlin’s Minecraft city, the volleyball ownership group, and Matt getting on Ryan about his 12-year-old car.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Listen guide
"ESPN Wanted Ryan Clark to Quit The Pivot. He Said No." is an episode of All The Smoke. Runtime 1 hr 8 min. Published November 5, 2026. Hit play above to stream it here, or open the free Spot Sports app for background play and offline downloads.