Writer’s suspension stirs ire
Between the shameless self-promotion and the out-of-control sponsoring of segments, it has been some time since ESPN has been a legitimate news operation.
For those who aren't convinced, college football writer Bruce Feldman's suspension might be the final straw.
Feldman, a longtime and respected journalist, was suspended indefinitely Thursday for assisting former Texas Tech football coach Mike Leach with his recently released book.
According to sportsbybrooks.com, which has led the way on the story, Feldman was not allowed to write for any ESPN entity, appear on any ESPN platform or tweet from his Twitter account.
A spokesman for ESPN denied on Friday that Feldman, who had permission from ESPN to participate on the Leach project, had been suspended, though the statement also said Feldman has "resumed his assignments."
Part of Leach's book details his side of the Adam James fiasco, when the son of ESPN analyst Craig James complained about his treatment by Leach and the network seemed to prop up the James family's account of the story, often at the perceived expense of the truth.
The social media platform, however, exploded with support for the popular writer, with his name trending all day Thursday and into Friday along with the hashtag, #FreeBruce.
Many in the sports media have expressed their support on Twitter, including Sports Illustrated's Stewart Mandel, who urged a boycott of ESPN.
"ESPN suspended a fine journalist to protect an announcer who spews cliches every Thursday," Mandel tweeted. "ESPN thinks you're stupid, America."
■ COSTLY ROUND -- The NBA lockout is taking its toll on the charity golfing circuit.
According to the Reno Gazette-Journal, Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan could be fined $1 million if he plays a round of golf with a current NBA player during the American Century Classic at Lake Tahoe this weekend.
The league prohibits contact between team employees and players during the lockout. The same rule applies for Vinny Del Negro, coach of the Los Angeles Clippers, who also is playing in the tournament.
The fine probably is not a huge deterrent to Jordan. The $1 million likely would be far from the most money he's lost on the golf course in one round.
■ UNFAIR ADVANTAGE -- A Kentucky man was arrested Thursday after consuming a few Bud Lights and smashing up a bunch of cars.
David L. Warner Jr. was charged with DUI following his victory in the Jessamine County Fair demolition derby in Nicholasville, Ky.
Spectators apparently called police after watching Warner drink the beers before the competition.
According to the Lexington Herald-Leader, Warner was "very uncooperative with police and refused to take any field sobriety tests."
Warner continued his rebelliousness during a TV interview with a coherent and grammatically brilliant statement.
"I mean, I'm not denying I wasn't drinking by no means, but I was not drunk," he said. "I was under the limit."
Well, at least it's not the same old cliches we hear from every other star athlete after a triumphant performance.
COMPILED BY ADAM HILL
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
