ESPN is the king of sports network TV. Most of us can’t imagine the world without this major network! Since its founding in 1978, ESPN has had major highs, but it’s also had some major lows. Take a look at a few scandals that almost made the network come crashing down!
Chris Berman’s 2015 Scandal
If you watch ESPN, you know Chris Berman as one of the network’s biggest faces. He’s been with the network since 1979, but all of that was nearly undone in 2015. That year, he was accused of sexual harassment, and a claim was even filed against him. The case was settled, however, and didn’t go to court in the end – and we haven’t heard about it since.
Chris Berman’s 2015 Scandal
Huggy Harold Reynolds
Nowadays, you recognize Harold Reynolds from the MLB Network, but if you used to watch ESPN way back in the day (ok…2006), you might remember Reynolds’ face on your screen. Well, we’ve got the scoop about his sudden disappearance from the network. Allegedly, Reynolds hugged a colleague – but failed to get permission or consent. ESPN has a strict no-tolerance policy for unwanted touching, so Reynolds got the axe.
Harold Reynolds
Curt Schilling Has A Little Too Much To Say
Curt Schilling is famous for his pitching skills – he even made the Hall of Fame – but his next venture didn’t go quite as well. As a sports analyst, he had a little social media problem – Schilling miiiiiiight have needed a bit of an environmental education to get used to commenting on the sport rather than playing it. After spouting harsh words and controversial opinions on Twitter, Schilling and ESPN have a bit of a feud.
Curt Schilling
Mike Tirico, The Stalker
Who can imagine ESPN without Mike Tirico? Well, allegedly, several of his female coworkers would very much like to. He apparently had a habit of stalking his female colleagues outside of the office. Come on, Tirico – not cool.
Mike Tirico
Neil Goldberg Is A Peeping Tom
You may not have heard of Neil Goldberg – as an ESPN producer, he preferred to be behind the scenes. Well, turns out the newsroom wasn’t the only place he crept around unnoticed – in 2010, he was arrested for peering into a neighbor’s window while she was changing. We’ll leave his exact activity up to your imagination, but lets just say his hands were preoccupied when the police arrived. Needless to say, ESPN immediately fired him.
Peeping Tom
Scott Sassa Gets A Little Too Sassy
Scott Sassa dove into broadcasting after being hired by Fox, but unfortunately for him, his career was abruptly cut short in 2008. Apparently, Sassa sent some illicit messages to a stripper – and consequently got caught up in a public blackmail scandal.
Scott Sassa
Rush Limbaugh’s ESPN Beginning (And Ending)
You’ve obviously heard of Rush Limbaugh, but did you know that the fringe radio host got his start at ESPN? After being hired in 2003, Limbaugh was quickly let go for a controversial rant (shocking). Guess Limbaugh needed an environmental education to learn that racially charged language about Donovan McNabb wouldn’t fly on ESPN.
Rush Limbaugh
Berman’s Back Again
Chris Berman’s back again, everyone! This time it’s not really his fault, though. Apparently, Berman and Sue Baumann had a bit of a personality clash – to put it mildly. They started fighting behind the scenes, and eventually, Berman won out – and Baumann was fired.
Berman’s Back
The Crazy 80’s
If you’re as obsessed with behind the scenes ESPN gossip as we are, make sure you get a copy of the crazy tell-all book, These Guys Have All The Fun. At over 700 pages, it’s chock-full of insider info about ESPN headquarters and the company’s culture. If you don’t feel like reading the whole thing, we’ll give you a sneak peak – it reveals the prevalence of drugs and sex in the company culture during the 1980s. Quite the business atmosphere, ESPN!
ESPNs Crazy 80s
Shady Keith Clinkscales
Keith Clinkscales – more like Keith ‘kink’ scales. Normally, we wouldn’t make fun of someone’s name, but Keith earned it. He was accused by two separate employees (Erin Andrews and Joan Lynch) of groping himself while sitting next to them. Ew, Keith – you deserve the gross nickname.
Keith Clinkscales
Battle Of The Jocks
Skip Bayless is known for being outspoken, loud, and an instigator – in fewer words, he’s a ‘shock jock’. He spread a particularly salacious rumor about Hall of Famer Troy Aikman, insinuating that the QB was gay. With this gossip, he made himself a real enemy, and Aikman and Bayless have been at each other’s throats ever since.
Skip Bayless Vs. Troy Aikman
Jason Whitlock Kicked To The Curb
ESPN may have a lot of scandals, but it has no tolerance for in-fighting. So when Jason Whitlock harshly criticized two coworkers publicly, he was fired almost immediately. After calling Mike Lupica ‘insecure and mean-spirited’ and Scoop Jackson a ‘clown’, there was no way Whitlock was sticking around.
Jason Whitlock
Paul Shirley Was Heartless
Paul Shirley used to contribute to ESPN in the form of freelance articles – but one of his other writing pieces got him into a bit of trouble. In 2010, he published a blog post about the disaster in Haiti that year. To sum up, he argued against donating to the earthquake victims because he didn’t believe they would do “anything constructive with the dollar I might give.” He continued to basically argue that Haitians should take care of themselves. Way harsh, Paul!
Paul Shirley
Steve Phillips’ Moment Of Weakness
Steve Phillips is well-known for his career as an ESPN MLB analyst – and even more well-known for the manner in which that career came crashing down. After cheating on his wife with a 22-year old office assistant, Phillips was quickly caught, fired, and divorced – nearly simultaneously. Yikes is all we have to say.
Steve Phillips
Rob Parker’s Racist Rant
Rob Parker used to be the host of ‘First Take’ – used to be are the operative words here. After some choice quips about quarterback Robert Griffin III, Rob Parker was fired – turns out, a racist rant can do that to you! This is a lesson several other people on this list probably should have learned as well.
Rob Parker
Ashley Madison Hack Hits ESPN
Oh gosh, the Ashley Madison hack. Seems like every organization was affected by it – and ESPN was no exception. Many ESPN execs, producers, and VPs had their information released in the hacking dump – meaning that they were all looking to engage in affairs.
Ashley Madison Hack
Bill Creasy Doesn’t Get His Sleepovers
Bill Creasy was ESPN’s first president of programming – but he wasn’t the first president named Bill to have a scandal of a certain type. In 2004, a 74-year old Greasy Creasy ordered his 30-year old assistant to attend ‘sleepover meetings’ at his mansion. When the woman refused, she was fired – but didn’t take that lying down. She quickly filed a sexual harassment suit – go, Melissa, go!
Bill Creasy
ESPN Chose Roger Goodell Over Fair Reporting
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is known for being extremely unhappy about the recent publicity regarding the NFL and concussions. PBS (which was an ESPN partner at the time) was planning to show a ‘League of Denial’ – a 2013 documentary about the exact subject Goodell hates discussing. After a meeting with Goodell (and a cool $15 billion deal), ESPN left its partnership with PBS before they aired the documentary. Talk about selling out – literally.
ESPN Sells Out To Roger Goodell
Back At It
Curt Schilling returns to the headlines – and this time, with a political statement. He came out in support of North Carolina’s transgender law, which required all people to use the bathroom of the sex they were born with. But he wasn’t exactly tactful – Schilling tweeted, “LET HIM IN! to the restroom with your daughter or else you’re a narrow-minded, judgmental, unloving racist bigot who needs to die.” Schilling chose to accompany the tweet with a hurtful photo of a man in woman’s clothing. This thoughtless and unnecessarily destructive tweet crossed a line, and led to him being immediately fired by ESPN.
Back At It
Strike Back
In 2005, Ray Rice beat his wife on an elevator, and everyone seemed to have something to say about it. ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith said, “Let’s make sure we don’t do anything to provoke wrong actions, because if I come — or somebody else come, whether it’s law enforcement officials, your brother or the fellas that you know — if we come after somebody has put their hands on you, it doesn’t negate the fact that they already put their hands on you.” He later apologized, but was still suspended for a week. Things just spiraled downhill when Michelle Beadle tweeted her opinion.
Stephen Smith
Erin Andrews Had A Stalker
Erin Andrews is gorgeous, talented, and has an amazing job as a sportscaster – who wouldn’t be jealous? Well, there is one part of her life you may not want: in 2008, she was stalked by a man named Michael David Barrett. Barrett shadowed her all the way from Nashville, TN to Columbus, OH. He even found her hotel room at the Nashville Marriott, and videotaped her through the door’s peephole – ew! Barrett published the video online – and Andrews responded with a lawsuit.
Erin Andrews
Attack Of Jay Mariotti
Jay Mariotti was just another ESPN columnist with good ratings… until his 2010 arrest, that is. Mariotti was accused of physically assaulting his girlfriend in public, and was charged with seven misdemeanors as a result.
Jay Mariotti
Bill Simmons Speaks His Mind
We mentioned that ESPN likes to run a tight ship – and doesn’t tolerate disagreement. When ESPN sportscaster Bill Simmons came out against several network heads and coverage of Roger Goodell (NFL commissioner), he quickly became a former ESPN sportscaster.
Bill Simmons
Colin Cowherd: Not At The Front Of The Herd
Guess what’s coming – racism or sexual harassment? Well, if you guessed racism, you’re right on the money. In 2015, Colin Cowherd made a pretty tone-deaf statement on his ESPN radio show, saying, “I’ve never bought into that ‘baseball is just too complex.’ A third of the sport is from the Dominican Republic. The Dominican Republic has not been known, in my lifetime, as having world-class academic abilities.” Guess Cowherd’s another one who needs an environmental education.
Colin Cowherd
Keith Olbermann’s Mistaken Tweet
Social media – it makes it so easy for us to get out our ideas quickly, and perhaps without thinking about the consequences. Keith Olbermann fell victim to the same trap as the rest of us. When a student tweeted Olbermann about Penn State’s pediatric cancer fundraiser, Olbermann didn’t response so nicely. The link included the school chant “We Are…” to which Olbermann replied, “…pitiful”. He apologized, but what a response to a cancer fundraiser to benefit sick children. In Olbermann’s own words – “pitiful.”
Keith Olbermann
ESPN Favors Ben Roethlisberger
The sports scandal of 2009 revolved around Ben Roethlisberger. The Pittsburgh Steelers QB was accused of sexual assault – and it was all everyone was talking about. Everyone, that is, besides ESPN. The network decided not to run with the story before more evidence emerged. Nice reporting, ESPN…or lack thereof.
Ben Roethlisberger
Favoritism
We all have our favorite teams, and ESPN reporters are certainly no exception. However, on air at least, sportscasters aren’t supposed to play favorites. However, based on the amount of time they spend focusing on certain players and teams, reporters like Mike Greenberg have been accused of favoring the Yankees, Patriots, Jets, Red Sox, and Mets.
Favoritism
Washington Redskins
These days, social media makes it very easy to quickly offend. In September 2015, Jessica McCloughan – wife of Scot McCloughan, better known as the Washington Redskins GM – sent a nasty tweet about ESPN reporter Dianna Russini. While McCloughan did later apologize and delete the tweet, it was too little too late… not much could take back her claim that Russini was exchanging a certain type of favors for inside info about the Redskins.
Washington Redskins
Female Reporters
ESPN has a plethora of talented female reporters – unfortunately, there is also a great deal of harassment towards these reporters. Female ESPN employees report that they are the target of inappropriate behavior such as repeated phone calls, knocks on their doors, and flashing of genitals by players. All we have to say is gross – step up and protect your employees, ESPN!
Heidi Watney
Paul Finebaum
It is ESPN radio and SEC commentator Paul Finebaum’s job to have an opinion – but this time, he probably should have just kept his mouth shut. In the current tense political climate, San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick expressed his opinion by taking a knee during the national anthem in order to protest police killings and treatment of African Americans and other minorities in the United States. On air, Finebaum commented on Kaepernick’s action, saying “this country does not oppress black people.” He received a lot of blow-back and eventually apologized.
Paul Finebaum
Britt McHenry
Britt McHenry is a reporter for ESPN, but was caught on camera in a bit of a different and less flattering context. After her car was towed, McHenry was seen on security camera at the tow yard berating the cashier. She is explicitly seen saying “lose some weight, baby girl” and telling the woman “I’m in the news sweetheart, and I will [explicitly] sue this place.” She continued on in this vein – not a good look, Britt!
Britt McHenry
Tony Kornheiser
Pardon The Interruption host Tony Kornheiser made sexist and just plain rude comments towards SportsCenter anchor Hannah Storm – causing him to be suspended for two weeks. In full, he said: “Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today. She’s got on red go-go boots and a catholic school plaid skirt … way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now. She’s got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body … I know she’s very good, and I’m not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won’t … but Hannah Storm … come on now! Stop! What are you doing?” He apologized a day later, but was still suspended.
Tony Kornheiser
Max Bretos
Looks like ESPN reporter Max Bretos needs a bit of an environmental education after spewing racial slurs at Jeremy Lin (player for the Knicks). Bretos was suspended for a month after the incident, and the unnamed writer who joined him was fired. ESPN apologized on behalf of Bretos, saying “We again apologize, especially to Mr. Lin. His accomplishments are a source of great pride to the Asian-American community, including the Asian-American employees as ESPN.”
Max Bretos
Mike Tirico Back At It
Mike Tirico just can’t keep it appropriate! He stalked another coworker – this time, a female producer. Tirico sent her emails requesting sex, and even once followed her as she left work, tailing her car to try to get her to pull over for a hook up. This scary and inappropriate behavior caused him to be suspended for three months.
Mike Tirico Back
Gary Miller
In 1997, Sportscaster Gary Miller went to a party and had a bit of an incident. After taking major advantage of the open bar, Miller needed to use the restroom – but he found the line too long. His solution? Urinating out a window. Oops! He was then charged with indecency, disorderly conduct, and resisting arrest. Way harsh!
Gary Miller
Farewell Franklin
Ron Franklin was at ESPN for a long time, until he showed his true colors. At the Chik-Fil-A pre-game coverage in 2010, he sent reporter Jeannine Edwards to the sidelines – which would have been fine, except he called her “sweet baby” in the process. Edwards was understandably unhappy with this demeaning nickname, and requested that he not do so again…to which Franklin responded with “fine, [explicit].” Franklin was immediately fired from the network – to which we say, “fine, [explicit].”
Farewell Franklin
Sean Taylor and Colin Cowherd
Tragically, in November 2007, during a home robbery gone wrong, Washington Redskins player Sean Taylor was murdered. The Redskins and the football community came together in grief – except Colin Cowherd, that is. The ESPN Radio personality caustically and insensitively said, “Sean Taylor, great player has a history of really really bad judgment, really really bad judgment. Cops, assault, spitting, DUI. I’m supposed to believe his judgment got significantly better in two years, from horrible to fantastic?” Fans were not exactly pleased.
Sean Taylor And Colin Cowherd
Harassing Hosts
Woody Paige and Jay Crawford have been hosting on ESPN for a long time – and that’s not the only thing they have in common. In 2007, a makeup artist accused both men of sexual harassment, but when both denied it, the accusations went away.
Paige and Crawford
Jemele Hill
Jemele Hill just doesn’t seem to know when she is crossing the line. For instance, she compared Coach Calipari to Charles Manson – and even said that cheering for Boston is “like saying Hitler was a victim.” Seriously Jemele? We think she needs sensitivity training – and a better editor.
Jemele Hill
Ric Bucher
Ric Bucher said some abrasive things about the Utah Jazz NBA team while reporting on their current success. He said, “It is the most intimidating place to play because of the configuration of the arena… and, let’s be honest… they are Mormon. They are in Salt Lake, and there’s nothing up there. They gotta smile and be happy all the time… and this is the one opportunity for people to get vicious in a fair arena. And the fans seem to take full advantage of it.” Guess Ric’s another one who needs an environmental education.
Ric Bucher
Lawler and Smith
While on air, commentators Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith took to discussing Memphis Grizzlies Hamed Haddadi, who happens to be of Iranian descent. Lawler and Smith weren’t exactly analyzing Haddadi’s playing skills. They delved into his ethnic background, making insensitive comments such as, “you sure he’s not Borat’s older brother?” All we can say is…seriously, another racist? Both men were suspended for one game after the incident.
Lawler and Smith
Paul Hand
During the 2016 Rio Olympics, commentator Paul Hand had a little homophobia problem. He made offensive comments about same-sex couples featured on the ‘kiss cam’ during Johanna Konta’s and Svetlana Kuznetsova’s tennis match. The BBC apologized for his comments.
Paul Hand
Berman’s Back AGAIN
Yes, he’s back again! Although, not sure Berman should be so happy with his repeat appearance on this list. This time, Berman is on the list for a comment he made during a commercial break off the air. To production staff, he said “when I’m doing TV and I say ‘hit me with the turkey gravy,’ it means hit me with the damn turkey gravy!!” Someone get Berman an environmental education.
Chris Berman
Howard Cosell
Yup, Howard Cosell the great is on this list – but don’t worry, his crime is more hilarious than gross. Those who knew him know that Cosell enjoyed a drink…or two…or five. He would often have one or more while commentating – and once, he overindulged to the point that he threw up on Don Meredith’s cowboy boots during a game! Oh, Cosell – we miss you.
Howard Cosell
Mike Patrick’s Crucial Question
After all the racists and sexists on this list, it’s nice to finally just have a relate-able and hilarious entry. So thanks for that, Mike Patrick! The story goes like this: the game is in overtime, and Georgia is trailing Alabama – huge moment! So of course, commentator Mike Patrick chooses this moment to make a less-than-relevant comment: “I have an important question… what is Britney doing with her life?” To which he is met with dead silence, of course. Oh Mike… what a memorable moment. We strongly advise that you look it up on YouTube if you haven’t seen it.
Mike Patrick
Brian Kinchen
Sometimes words can get us in trouble. One time, ESPNU commentator Brian Kinchen got himself a little wrapped up in words. He was trying to convey how to catch a ball in your hands, but it just got weird… and he just got himself out of the situation (or not) by saying “that’s kind of gay.”
Brian Kinchen
Lou Holtz
Wondering what former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz’s last name means? Well, you probably weren’t, but he very much wants you to know that it means “hard wood.” Hmm, ok Lou… good to know?
Lou Holtz
Dan Marino Gets Aggressive
Dan Marino had a little aggression problem on HBO’s Inside the NFL. One time he was so unnerved by a slip of tongue that he actually hit the desk. Ouch!
Dan Marino
Brent Musburger Has A Big Mouth
Many thought commentator Brent Musburger crossed the line when he commented on the looks of Katherine Webb, Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron’s girlfriend. However, Webb herself didn’t seem to mind – she publicly thanked Musberger and said she was flattered.
Brent Musburger
Andy Gray and Richard Keys
Sexism seems to be a little too common on this list – but in case you weren’t tired of it already, here’s another example! Soccer broadcasters Andy Gray and Richard Keys decided to make some very misogynistic comments about a female linesman even though they were on air – completely crossing the line. Even though they apologized, they were both fired. Bye boys!
Andy Gray And Richard Keys
Pam Shriver
Yeah, she was just doing her job – but maybe she could have been a little quieter! While criticizing tennis player James Blake, ESPN’s Pam Shriver didn’t realize how loud she was speaking. It got so loud that at one point, Blake himself turned around to berate her, saying “I’m not deaf!”
Pam Shriver
Hannah Storm and Adam Schefter
There is professional excitement – and then there’s just rudeness. When the news that Eric Mangini had been let go as the Cleveland Browns’ head coach broke, Hannah Storm and Adam Schefter had a little party on air. After hearing the news, they even high fived!
Hannah Storm And Adam Schefter
Boomer and Dan Marino
Former Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason got himself in a little bit of trouble with his comments before the Colts’ 2007 Super Bowl win. He called Peyton Manning “this generation’s Dan Marino” because he didn’t think Manning could win a Super Bowl. Ok, but he’s not really one to talk – Boomer never actually won a Super Bowl himself!
Boomer And Dan Marino
Imus is Racist – and Not Just in the Mornings!
Don Imus isn’t really a commentator, but he sure knows how to make sexist and racist comments along with the best of them! He called the Rutgers women’s basketball team “nappy-headed hos” on his radio show, Imus in the Morning.
Imus In The Morning
Bryant Gumbel
Bryant Gumbel was just not happy with the athletic performances he was seeing during the Winter Olympics, and used the word “paucity” constantly – luckily he didn’t go berserk, though.
Bryant Gumbel
Territory
Jimmy the Greek was known for his radical honesty, but in 1988, he went over the line. His comments in a TV interview that year went too far, and cost him his job.
Territory
Doug Adler
ESPN announcer Doug Adler made some rude comments about Venus Williams during her match against Stefanie Voegele during the Australian Open. He said, “She misses a first serve and Venus is all over her. You see Venus move in (and) put the gorilla [guerrilla] effect on. Charging.”
Doug Adler
Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky
Dustin Johnson won the US Open for the first time in 2016 – imagine his disappointment when all anyone was talking about was not his athletic achievement, but his wife’s body! One cameraman at the match focused only on Paulina, shocking and angering viewers.
Dustin Johnson
Marv Albert
After pleading guilty to assault and battery charges in 1997, guess it makes sense that Marv Albert was fired. 20 years of sports announcing, but no more.
Marv Albert
Danyelle Sargent
Who among us hasn’t let the F word slip by accident in a professional setting? Well, ESPNEWS anchor Danyelle Sargent is no different. Not realizing that her microphone was still hot, she ended up saying f*** on national TV. Honest mistake, but guess the network wasn’t happy – she wasn’t asked back the next season.
Danyelle Sargent