Sports

Ex-ESPN Broadcaster Karl Ravech Channels George Costanza By Going To Work Without A Job

by Last Updated

Getty Image / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Karl Ravech channels George Costanza after being fired by ESPN.


Karl Ravech has been laid off after more than three decades at ESPN. He still clocked into work on Thursday for an MLB showdown between the Braves and Nationals.

It will be the first of many post-employment appearances scheduled this summer. He plans to finish out the baseball season with the network.

We’ve all seen the Seinfeld episode “The Revenge.” If you haven’t, get familiar. It has one of the most memorable stunts in the series.

In the seventh show of the second season, George Costanza shows up for work despite being unemployed. He hopes that by returning to his old office, everyone will forget that he no longer has a job at Rick Barr Properties. He pretends he’s still on the payroll to slowly transition back into his former role with the company.

That attempt ultimately fails, leading to a hilarious revenge plot.

In that particular case, George quit. That’s where things differ for Ravech. He was blindsided by ESPN.

Karl Ravech found out he was unemployed through social media.

Andrew Marchand of The Athletic was the first person to break the news of the firing earlier this month. He did so before Ravech was aware of his new job status.

“Reached by phone on Tuesday morning, (Karl) Ravech had yet to be told, as ESPN is planning to inform employees later in the morning.”

Marchand published his update on the layoff around 8:30 AM ET on July 21st. The Worldwide Leader in Sports had not yet informed Ravech of his fate.

Marchand reached out for comment. He confirmed that Ravech was still in the dark.

The move was surprising. ESPN layoffs have largely been a result of streamlining the NFL operation following an absorption of NFL Network. Ravech is a baseball guy. It was unexpected.

Ravech has worked for the network since 1993. Though he was laid off in July, ESPN won’t officially get rid of him until August.

Karl Ravech will continue calling games on ESPN.

Ten days after being let go, Ravech appeared in the booth for an NL East matchup between Atlanta and Washington. He plans to call another pro game next month while also working the Little League World Series.

The LLWS is slated to run from August 19-30. Marchand says Ravech will be on the broadcast crew for a future Yankees game, too.

Karl Ravech is no longer employed by ESPN. He is still working for the network despite being laid off. It’s a move that’s been commended by colleagues. Unfortunately, he’ll receive the same final outcome as George Costanza – joblessness.

Time to put out some feelers for travelling secretary jobs around the MLB!