Stick to Sports

Michael Wilbon, a co-host on one of ESPN's daily sports debating shows called Pardon the Interruption, was in some hot water this last week.

When controversial conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh's bid to purchase the St. Louis Rams was denied last week, Wilbon made a bad ( but understandable) mistake and missquoted, along with numerous other television cable news shows, that Limbaugh had said years ago that, "Slavery built the south, I am not saying we should bring it back I am just saying we should acknowledge its merits."

Note: When reports came out ten days ago that Limbaugh wanted to buy the Rams, The St, Louis dispatch along with USA Today and other media outlets picked this slavery quote up from Wikipedia. The quote had ended up there from a book that was published three years ago. However, Limbaugh denies the comments and there is no proof that he ever made those comments. Wilbon admits that he was given those comments minutes before he went on air.

Additionally, On his PTI show on October 9th Wilbon said, "I dont know whether Limbaugh is a straight up bigot or he simply plays one on tv and radio, but he is universally reviled by black people in this country."

In regards to his first comment pertaining to slavery, Wilbon apologized directly to Limbaugh. " That’s a journalistic no-no. What? If I had checked and found out the information that we had basic access to every day on deadline, I might have done it anyway. Still, that’s wrong and a journalistic no-no, and I said that to him."

Than, on Sunday October 18th, Wilbon went on CNN and said that he stood by his comment that many black people dispise Limbaugh. http://www.mediaite.com/print/espn-reporter-apologizes-for-slandering-limbaugh-rush-rubs-it-in-with-journal-op-ed/

Whether or not Wilbon is right or wrong and whether or not Limbaugh deserves to have a team, which is certainly debatable, Wilbon made a mistake that a 17-year Washington Post Columnist should not make, especially one that represents the most trusted brand sports media outlet in the world. Wilbon fused sports and politics, something that ESPN should try to stay far away from.

Honestly, I am not really concerned with Wilbon getting the facts wrong or misquoting someone more than I am worried about his agenda. Clearly Wilbon is not a fan of Limbaugh, but the problem lies in the fact that I know that. I am a sports fan, and when I watch ESPN I watch it because I want sports, not the bull I get on cable news.

Off course ESPN should urge Wilbon and his co-host Tony Kornheiser to comment on the Limbaugh controversy but they should make sure to stick to the perspective of the NFL.

For instance, nationally syndicated ESPN radio host, Colin Cowherd, commented on his show last Thursday that Limbaugh should not believe he is being targeted because he stands for conservative views, but rather the NFL is simply trying to protect its image. Said Cowherd, " Larry Flynt, who is liberal and owns a porno magazine would also be denied." While Cowherd is giving a somewhat heavily loaded political opinion, he is giving it from the view of the NFL, not his own personal beliefs.

Wilbon should have been smarter. In my opinion Wilbon has a good point, but as a sports fan the last thing I want is to look at my favorite sports network, ESPN, and think of their reporters as guys with a political agenda. If Wilbon wants to advocate for what he believes in that is totally fine, but ESPN is a brand the tries to stick with the facts and provide fans with sports information, analysis and opinion from an unbiased point of view.

From such a well respected journalist and veteran of the game, Wilbon made a rookie mistake.

While one may argue that comments such as these add a sensational aspect to ESPN, which would in return add more viewers and maybe allow ESPN to matter more to the outside world, I would agree that partially that is true. But I can guarantee you that if ESPN continued to have their personality hosts allow their personal beliefs to seep in to their reporting, there would be many viewers who would turn away. Sports fans are human, and many of them have strong political opinions as is. The last thing ESPN wants is some fan saying " Aw gosh Wilbon keep your dam opinions to yourself," and than change the channel.

Just take a look at exhibit A, a comment posted on www.mediaite.com; ChrisNH says:
October 18, 2009 at 12:52 pm

Reason #344 why people hate journalists (most of them, anyway): They act all ‘high-and-mighty’ about their ‘ethics’ and ‘code of conduct.’ They act as though they sit on some throne above everyone else. I mean, they act as though a J-School degree (those who have them) is somehow on the same plane as a doctorate degree. And then! Then, they don’t even practice what they preach! They act as ”elite, professional journalists’ while breaking every tenet in the book. Next time, Wilbon, keep that in mind when someone rolls their eyes every time you say something. Don’t act as though your next act of heroism will be to cure cancer or something."

Sure it is only one person and one comment, but for ESPN's sake, and the sake of their millions of viewers who pay for their mortgages, one is too much.

They can thank Wilbon for that.