Sophie Cunningham Pulled Into Unexpected Spotlight As Ryan Clark Makes Explosive Accusations Against ESPN

Sophie Cunningham finds herself at the center of Ryan Clark’s explosive ESPN allegations© Instagram/ sophie_cham

Former ESPN analyst Ryan Clark says the network used Sophie Cunningham to bury the news of his firing. Clark made the claim Thursday on the “All The Smoke” podcast. He believes ESPN ran her interview to pull attention away once his exit leaked. The Indiana Fever star had told ESPN she wants to protect girls in sport from competing against biological men, and the piece sparked headlines and protests. OutKick's Bobby Burack responded to the allegations and aid that Clark's version was wrong and offered a very different account of how the firing unfolded. The two sides disagree on nearly every detail.

What Did Ryan Clark Say About Sophie Cunningham And ESPN?

Ryan Clark says the timing tells the story. ESPN ran the Sophie Cunningham profile soon after news of his firing broke, and he sees a plan in it. Clark built the case around a comment he linked to OutKick.

“Sophie Cunningham says something and they say, ‘A great brand switch for ESPN. Ryan Clark was fired this week and now Sophie Cunningham leads the news,'” Clark said before alleging ESPN leaked his firing to OutKick.

He kept going. “That's what they [ESPN] wanted. That's why you leaked it to [OutKick],” Clark said. “And so I think everything points to it, but I should have, my antenna should have been up more and even with that, there was nothing I could change.”

Cunningham's interview did stir strong reaction. “And I want to protect young girls in a locker room, or young girls in sport who shouldn't have to go against biological men,” she told ESPN. Clark also cited warning signs, including his absence from ESPN's Super Bowl promotion.

Burack Disputes Clark's Version Of The Firing

Burack says ESPN did not leak the news to his outlet. He and colleague Dan Zaksheske had four independent sources, he writes, and ESPN tried to stop the story. Burack says Clark was one of several employees on a budget-cut layoff list and the most notable name. An executive told Clark during a commercial break on “NFL Live,” and he did not return for the next segment. Burack believes ESPN moved early because it feared OutKick would not wait, and calls the plan a backfire.

On the profile, Burack says the interview took place in February and was held until July to match the WNBA season. He adds Clark was more trouble than he was worth.