Ryan Clark Using NFL Agent To Help With ESPN Contract Is An Obvious Conflict of Interest

Ryan Clark re-signed with ESPN earlier this month for $2 million a year. The negotiations were challenging. Clark wanted more than double what ESPN offered him. He let his contract run out and provided sorrowful updates on his negotiations via social media.

Clark turned to agent David Mulugheta for assistance and representation. That's notable. Mulugheta is not a broadcast agent. He's an NFL agent. He represents active football players – players whom Clark covers.

"In negotiations I knew I wasn’t them, but I am me. So, I went about it my way with the help of @DavidMulugheta , because I kept score every time I walked on set. I felt like I had to kill every second of every show just to get what I deserve. Mission remains the same, but the space I move in is different. I’m happy for the journey," Clark posted on X.

Mulugheta responded to Clark's post with the following quote tweet:

"@Realrclark25 is a "one of one". Not many like him and definitely one of the most authentic people I’ve ever met. Like I’ve said before ESPN is lucky to have him and sports media as a whole is better because of him. #Top2AndHeNot2"

Clark's partnership with Mulugheta is, by definition, a conflict of interest. 

ESPN pays Clark to be an "NFL analyst." He is now the sole analyst on the "Monday Night Football" halftime show, where he's tasked to analyze players objectively.

But he's compromised. 

He's in the same clique as other Mulugheta clients –  namely Deshaun Watson, C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love, Christian Wilkins and Jalen Ramsey. Clark recently used his platform as an ESPN "analyst" to provide those very Mulugheta clients with unwavering support.

Last November, Clark used the oft-cited race card to defend Watson against Brady Quinn, who jabbed