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Surprising ESPN Scandals We Never Saw Coming

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No matter what we’re watching on ESPN, we’ve become attached to the TV personalities that bring those sporting moments to us.

When those seemingly nice people do bad things, it’s a shock to our psyches. Here are some of the biggest and most inexplicable scandals from the worldwide leader in sports…

Ashley accounts | 0:18
Britt’s behavior | 0:58
Chris Berman | 1:52
Gross interviews | 2:34
Exploiting Erin | 3:17

In what ways did the Brett Favre sexting scandal impact the culture of harassment in sports media?

ESPN, the worldwide leader in sports broadcasting, has been a mainstay in the sports world for the better part of four decades. Despite its longstanding reputation as one of the most credible sources for information, there have been certain ESPN scandals throughout the years that have taken fans and industry insiders alike by surprise.

Here are some of the most shocking instances of scandal at ESPN that nobody saw coming:

1. Jemele Hill Suspension

Jemele Hill was a popular commentator on ESPN for several years before her suspension from the network in 2017. The suspension was a result of Hill’s tweets about then-President Donald Trump, where she labeled him a white supremacist. Despite backlash from those who disagreed with her views, Hill stood by her comments and eventually left ESPN in 2018.

2. Brett Favre Sexting Scandal

In 2010, retired NFL quarterback Brett Favre found himself in hot water after it was revealed that he had sent inappropriate texts and explicit photos to several women, including a former Jets sideline reporter. The incident shone a light on the culture of harassment and misconduct within the world of sports media.

3. Bill Simmons Controversy

Bill Simmons, a popular sports commentator on ESPN, found himself in the middle of a controversy in 2014 when he was suspended by the network for comments he made about NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Simmons called out Goodell’s handling of the Ray Rice domestic violence incident and accused him of lying. The suspension caused a lot of backlash from fans, who felt that ESPN was trying to censor Simmons.

4. Rachel Nichols, Maria Taylor Controversy

In 2021, ESPN found itself embroiled in controversy once again after a leaked recording surfaced of commentator Rachel Nichols criticizing her colleague Maria Taylor’s rise within the network. Nichols was heard saying that she believed Taylor was only getting opportunities because of her race, which caused a lot of backlash from viewers.

5. Keith Olbermann Suspension

In 2015, Keith Olbermann, a popular sports talk show host on ESPN, was suspended from the network for making political donations to candidates without prior approval from his bosses. Olbermann was a notorious political commentator before joining ESPN, and the incident raised questions about the neutrality of sports media.

In conclusion, ESPN has had its fair share of scandals throughout the years, some of which have been downright shocking. From Jemele Hill’s suspension to the Brett Favre sexting scandal to the Rachel Nichols and Maria Taylor controversy, the network has not been immune to scandal and controversy. These incidents show that even the most reputable names in sports media can falter and prove that the sport’s world has an underbelly that needs to be scrutinized.