ESPN tells Breitbart News that the network became aware of Britt McHenry’s abusive comments toward a woman at an Arlington, Virginia, tow company only after other outlets reported on it.
On Thursday, a video surfaced of ESPN reporter Britt McHenry verbally attacking an employee of a tow company, which resulted in a one-week suspension of McHenry, effective immediately. The reporter ridiculed the Advanced Towing employee’s teeth, weight, job, and educational background as she boasted of her status on television. McHenry has since apologized on Twitter.
A spokesman at ESPN told Breitbart News on Friday, “ESPN was made aware of this issue last week after a story ran about it.”
McHenry last appeared on TV for ESPN Wednesday, interviewing Washington Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, making it appear that they waited until the video surfaced to suspend her. McHenry was towed on April 5.
McHenry is one of many ESPN personalities to be suspended in recent years. The network suspended Keith Olbermann for a week after he called Penn State’s annual pediatric cancer fundraiser “pitiful.” ESPN sent Stephen A. Smith home, also for a week, after he instructed women not “to provoke wrong actions” in a discussion on domestic violence. Tony Kornheiser was suspended for two weeks after calling a coworker’s outfit “horrifying” on the air. Rob Parker got suspended for 30 days for calling Robert Griffin III a “cornball brother.” The network declined to renew his contract when it expired.
Follow Trent Baker on Twitter @MagnifiTrent
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