We’ve done plenty of posts here at Twitchy covering ESPN, and not because of the exceptional sports coverage — the network only catches our eye when one of its hosts says something overtly political and, without exception, liberal.
Jim Geraghty over at National Review has written a piece about ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro’s interview with the Los Angeles Times, in which he says, “Without question our data tells us our fans do not want us to cover politics. My job is to provide clarity. I really believe that some of our talent was confused on what was expected of them. If you fast-forward to today, I don’t believe they are confused.”
ESPN President: ‘Our Fans Do Not Want Us to Cover Politics’ https://t.co/P0TrWbcBCn
— Jim Geraghty (@jimgeraghty) May 20, 2019
Oh, and your talent is still confused … they’re all just working at different media outlets now.
Some of the figures most associated with bringing politics into sports moved on. Jemele Hill now writes for The Atlantic, Bob Costas retired from NBC Sports, Olbermann is now grumbling that MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow hasn’t shown enough gratitude towards him.https://t.co/hz8DRqsnIC
— Jim Geraghty (@jimgeraghty) May 20, 2019
Olbermann even grumbled that he was going to retire from politics on social media, which didn’t last long.
So who knew that the same people who want journalists to simply report the news also want ESPN to stick to sports coverage?
Finally figured it out. @espn
— Christie (@RepRepublic) May 20, 2019
Recommended
— Trevor Knauss (@DreadstarRock) May 20, 2019
No kidding. Took them long enough to figure that out.
— Roger Abramson (@rogerabramson) May 20, 2019
Former regular ESPN viewer: "Correct"
— Karl Nittinger (@karl_nittinger) May 20, 2019
Duh! Imagine that!
— rickhawk22 (@rickhawk22) May 20, 2019
Ya, no shiz. If only yall figured this out 6 years ago
— ~~~~^~~~~~o/ (@Y4LYFE) May 20, 2019
No kidding genius!
— eric fehrman (@ericfehrman) May 20, 2019
— Andy Bonner (@mrmax86) May 20, 2019
I could of come up with this for 40 grand a year instead of a few million.
— ??♂️Runnerdude?? (@KeithFa74445831) May 20, 2019
It only took hundreds of cut jobs and millions in lost ad revenue to help them see the light…
— James Canterbury, M.Ed. (@Mr_Canterbury) May 20, 2019
It took a room with 50 execs. To come to this conclusion. Woke Center.
— Scott Miller (@Rellimttocs) May 20, 2019
This is correct. We watch a sports network to hear about sports.
— Starval (@StarvalGamers) May 20, 2019
Coulda told him that a long time ago. What a stupid experiment for @espn to even bring politics into the sports mix.
— Rick Hadley (@oldgringophoto) May 20, 2019
*this is my shocked face*
— Spooky Joe (@jmotivator) May 20, 2019
— Farbrook (@dutchindian) May 20, 2019
Man, these guys are quick on the uptake!
— Sen. Clay Davis (@sheeeittt) May 20, 2019
Ya think. Years ago @espn was part of my daily routine before you started with the political bs. @SportsCenter became good morning america.
— Micah Miller (@Mavymcmavmav) May 20, 2019
"Good, you've pinpointed it. Step two is washing it out." – Ray Zalinsky
— Adam Moore (@refereecpa) May 20, 2019
Really people don’t tune in to the “Entertainment Sports Network “ to watch politics?
— Eddie (@emonkey79) May 20, 2019
There’s a revelation! If only @cnn and @MSNBC could follow suit
— qpeep77 (@qpeep77) May 20, 2019
Wow took like 5 years to figure that out at the board meeting
— Soul Criminal (@SoulCriminal3) May 20, 2019
— dcdraft (@DCDraft) May 20, 2019
That they needed new leadership to figure this out speaks volumes about the old leadership and the assumption by many media elites that everyone is all consumed by politics and holds the same political views as themselves. Sports has great power to unite, don’t destroy that too.
— Matthew White (@Matt_S_White) May 20, 2019
Well, duh. Duhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
— Jim Stinson (@jimstinson) May 20, 2019
It took several years and watching their ratings tank to finally figure out that sports people don't want liberal politics integrated with their sports news. Duh.
— GolferGuy (@Golferguy24) May 20, 2019
Now that the top brass know without question viewers don’t want politics mixed in with their sports, are they actually going to do anything about it?
Oh, and maybe share some of those studies with Ted Cruz’s site Deadspin. They’re beyond help, but throw ’em a lifeline.
Related:
ESPN expands role of sportscaster who once called Trump a 'Nazi Nazi f*ck Nazi Nazi RACIST' https://t.co/XK0ksNISkE
— Twitchy Team (@TwitchyTeam) May 25, 2018
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