Fired ESPN NFL Analyst Ryan Clark Lands Massive Investment From Former Starbucks CEO

Ryan Clark's post-ESPN career has taken another significant turn, with former Starbucks chief executive Howard Schultz joining his media company Pivot25 Productions as an investor and strategic partner.

The development comes two months after Clark's ESPN exit and weeks after The Pivot secured a multi-year agreement with Netflix.

Clark's ESPN career ended in July after 11 years with the network. The former Pittsburgh Steelers safety was among a wider group of employees affected by layoffs following ESPN's integration of NFL Network assets.

Clark was informed of the decision during an episode of NFL Live on 20 July and did not return to finish the programme. ESPN said the cuts were connected to its acquisition of NFL Network and other league digital assets.

Clark later disputed the characterisation of his departure as a conventional layoff.

'They're using layoffs as a cover and a camouflage for what they already intended on doing,' he said on The Pivot in July. 'But there was no cause for it. So because there was no cause for it you couldn't just fire me, so you had to wait until the layoffs so you could camouflage it and veil it.'

Since then, Clark has focused on expanding his independent media business.

Howard Schultz Backs Pivot25

Pivot25 Productions announced on Tuesday, 22 September, that Schultz had joined the company as an investor and strategic partner. Clark co-founded the business with Emmy-winning producer Alicia Zubikowski.

The partnership is intended to help Pivot25 expand across content, distribution, commercial partnerships, licensing and live experiences. Schultz is expected to provide strategic advice, business relationships, networking expertise and access to capital.

Clark said Schultz first contacted him shortly after his ESPN departure.

'The first thing he did, he sends me this long text message, and he talks about what happens to me,' Clark said. 'He talks about this deep dive he's done on me since he saw it happen, and how he wants to not only be a part of my comeback, but he believes that I'm a brand.'

He added: 'He believes in things that I stand for, which I hadn't heard from somebody of his stature who didn't look like me. I'm just being honest.'

Clark initially presented Schultz with an idea for one show, but the former Starbucks executive encouraged him to think on a larger scale.

Netflix Deal Adds to Expansion

The investment follows another major development for Clark. Netflix began carrying The Pivot Podcast on 8 September, with new video episodes featuring Clark, former NFL stars Channing Crowder and Fred Taylor.

The programme has built an audience around candid discussions covering sports, culture and entertainment. Pivot25 has also launched The Pivot Sports with Ryan Clark, a weekly studio programme produced with NFL Films.

According to Pivot25, The Pivot has more than 1.4 million YouTube subscribers and more than 480 million views.

Schultz said the partnership reflects broader changes in media.

'We are living through a profound transformation in media,' he said. 'Audiences are increasingly choosing people and platforms they trust over traditional institutions, and the barriers between sports, business, culture and entertainment are disappearing.'

Clark welcomed the next phase, writing, 'New days and continued blessings. Building a relationship with Howard Schultz has taught me so much about business already.'