ESPN head to staff: ‘ESPN is not a political organization’

The Hill ^

[Sub-Driver]

ESPN head to staff: ‘ESPN is not a political organization’

By Jesse Byrnes - 09/15/17 08:27 PM EDT

ESPN head to staff: ‘ESPN is not a political organization’

ESPN's chief is defending the network after intense backlash this week, including a stream of White House criticism over anchor Jemele Hill calling President Trump a "white supremacist."

"We have issues of significant debate in our country at this time," ESPN president John Skipper wrote in a memo to staff on Friday reported by multiple media outlets.

"In light of recent events, we need to remind ourselves that we are a journalistic organization and that we should not do anything that undermines that position," he continued, noting, "ESPN is about sports."

"ESPN is not a political organization. Where sports and politics intersect, no one is told what view they must express," he said.

"At the same time, ESPN has values," Skipper continued, writing ESPN is "committed to inclusion and an environment of tolerance where everyone in a diverse work force has the equal opportunity to succeed."

[Socon-Econ]

A diverse workplace is where people have to look different but vote Democrat.

[TBP]

“ESPN is not a political organization. Where sports and politics intersect, no one is told what view they must express,”

This is a flat-out lie.

[SkyPilot]

Just like in the NFL, where over 70% of the players are black, and in the NBA, where over 90% of the players are black, ESPN is simply afraid to tell it’s black employees to cool it.

[Sarah Barracuda]

LOL who do they think they are fooling? of course BSPN is a far left political organization

[taxesareforever]

Could a fooled me.

[TChad]

‘ESPN is not a political organization’

Insert rimshot sound effect.

[Paladin2]

Too late. Sports Treason is the new patriotism.

[DouglasKC]

"ESPN is not a political organization. Where sports and politics intersect, no one is told what view they must express," he said.

Oh BS....liberal views are tolerated and accepted. Conservative views are punished and forbidden.

[Popman]

The only reason Jemele Hill wasn’t fired like all the other ESPN commentators who made political statements or perceived no PC statements is because she holds two of three trifecta in the identity policies horse race...

Black and female...

I don’t know if she is queer so it may be win place and show...

[vpintheak]

Whatever. Until they fire all the political turds, they can not have me for a viewer.

[Da Coyote]

ESPN is a joke, and most certainly is not an organization of any sort.

[Mark17]

In light of recent events, we need to remind ourselves that we are a journalistic organization and that we should not do anything that undermines that position," he continued, noting, "ESPN is about sports."

BS.

"In light of recent events, we need to remind ourselves that we are a journalistic organization and that we should not do anything that undermines that position," he continued, noting, "ESPN is about sports."

BS.

"At the same time, ESPN has values," Skipper continued, writing ESPN is "committed to inclusion and an environment of tolerance where everyone in a diverse work force has the equal opportunity to succeed."

BS.

Do you see a pattern here?

[Intolerant in NJ]

.."committed to inclusion and an environment of tolerance where everyone in a diverse work force has the equal opportunity to succeed...oh, except for white supremacists, of course.....

[Bikkuri]

Thant’s pretty rough.. I might rather watch eSpN :p

[ealgeone]

ESPN is "committed to inclusion and an environment of tolerance where everyone in a diverse work force has the equal opportunity to succeed.",

Unless you're Curt Schilling or any other conservative.

[Parley Baer]

Bwahahahaha. These clowns are too funny.

[Electric Graffiti]

"You mean ESPN doesn’t stand for Extremely Stalinist Political Network ?"

I think this guy said it best

[rawcatslyentist]

All broadcast media is concerned with Governing Mental states.

[Dalberg-Acton]

Obviously it is.

[Rummyfan]

Back in the day I used to watch The Sports Reporters every week. But with the passing of first Dick Schaap and then John Saunders, they ruined that too - mostly thanks to that d**k Lupica..