ESPN fires big NFL names after sexual harassment allegations
ESPN went through the ringer in the 2017 calendar year with controversy after controversy.
Jemele Hill of “SC6” accused President Donald Trump of being a “white supremacist“; hosts John Buccigross and Matthew Berry were accused of sexual harassment; and ESPN’s partnership with the edgy Barstool Sports was canceled after just one episode following a backlash over its treatment of women, including Sam Ponder, host of ESPN’s “NFL Countdown.”
Should I save the “rundown” where you call me a slut for later or use that one now?
— Samantha Steele Ponder (@samponder) October 16, 2017
It’s safe to say ESPN was pulling for that “new year, new me” slogan in 2018.
It’s already made one resolution, evidently.
After placing former NFL players Donovan McNabb and Eric Davis on temporary leave during an investigation into sexual harassment allegations against them when they were at the NFL Network, ESPN has decided to cut ties with the analysts after a monthlong investigation, according to the Sports Business Journal.
ESPN officially cuts ties with Donovan McNabb and Eric Davis following a month-long investigation into sexual harassment allegations. https://t.co/s3ETnTJnQM
— John Ourand (@Ourand_Puck) January 5, 2018
A lawsuit filed by Jami Cantor, a former wardrobe stylist at the NFL Network, alleges that McNabb sent inappropriate text messages to her.
Cantor also accuses Davis of rubbing his body against her and making “lewd” comments.
McNabb has been relieved of his duties of appearing on the weekend NFL show on ESPN Radio.
This is the second network the former Eagles quarterback has been removed from the airwaves. In 2015, McNabb left Fox Sports after he pleaded guilty to driving under the influence, his second offense.
He served 18 days in jail following the DUI.
Davis, on the other hand, co-hosted an ESPN LA Radio show before being fired.
McNabb and Davis were just two of the seven men accused of sexually harassing Cantor at the NFL Network.
Also accused were Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk and Warren Sapp as well as Ike Taylor and Heath Evans.
Ex-NFL Network executive Eric Weinberger was also mentioned in the lawsuit filed in the Los Angeles Superior Court in October.
Weinberger, who is now the president of Bill Simmons Media Group, was also suspended pending an internal investigation.
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