Posts Tagged ‘ESPN

14
Dec
09

ESPN Subtly Calls Gammons a Money-Grubber

As a means of honoring Peter Gammons before his departure to the higher-paying less-travel pastures of MLB Network and NESN, the ESPN baseball writers all contributed a paragraph or several about their mentor and friend. Several days later, there are new stories and the Gammons tributes are pushed down the page.

Despite all the kind words the writers heaped on Gammons, I can’t help wondering if the editors or higher-ups at ESPN wanted to take a final shot at the legendary reporter — who received a reported substantial raise to join MLB — by putting this Jerry Crasnick headline beneath the Gammons stories.

Or it could just be a coincidence… but where’s the fun in that!

08
Dec
09

Gammons is Leaving ESPN

After 20 years, Peter Gammons has decided to leave ESPN following this week’s Winter Meetings. In a statement he released through ESPN, Gammons said that:

My decision to leave ESPN and move on at this point in my life has been conflicted. I owe a great deal of my professional life to ESPN, having spent more than half of my 40 years in journalism working for the network, and the choice to move on was made with nothing but the strongest feelings for the people with whom I worked. ESPN gave me a great deal more than I gave it, and will always be a huge part of who I am.

First, I have to imagine that ESPN didn’t fire Gammons, because let’s face it, the dude is a legend and should be able to work as long as he wants. So, why is he leaving? Is he still feeling unwell from his stroke a few years ago? Could this be a precursor to a move to MLB Network? If they don’t go after him incredibly hard it’s just foolish.

Regardless, Gammons remains one of the best baseball men out there and from reading his column every Sunday in the Boston Globe to today, he’s always been one of my favorites.

In the meantime, what does this do to ESPN’s baseball coverage, they’ve now lost Gammons and Steve Phillips and I’m guessing Ravech leaves as soon as his contract is up to go to MLB.

[ESPN]

*(UPDATE)*

Gammons is joining BOTH MLB Network and NESN!

03
Nov
09

Erin Andrews is Back, Has Back

Erin Andrews 1Erin Andrews spent her time away off from ESPN doing something right, because now that she’s back on the air she’s in even better shape than before as this picture from a recent game shows. Is there a condition better than game-ship? Ship-shape? All I know is that everything about this outfit works for me. The sideline princess is back and I for one couldn’t be more thankful. Yowzers.

[Photo H/T Barstool Sports]

28
Oct
09

A Guest Opinion on L’Affaire Steve Phillips

brooke2Loyal reader and sometime commenter RowdyRoddyPaulper is a man who enjoys an adult beverage every now and again. Regardless, he is hilarious at all times, when he sent me a drunken email about Steve Phillips late last night I just KNEW I had to post it. So, below is the full text of the email, enjoy it as much as I have.

I recently (like yesterday) read up on the whole Steve Phillips/ugly PA story. Let me address a few issues I have that you may or may not have addressed:

1) One article (possibly CNN.com (I’m a drunk-and currently drunk-so I forget things)) said that the Steve Phillips’ “issue” was a symptom of ESPN being a post-grad frathouse. Fine. When I think of ESPN, I think frathouse. But the Steve Phillips situation proves the opposite point. Frathouses like hot girls. Also, hot girls semi-unfortunately like frathouses. Brooke Hundley is a 4 (with makeup…a shitload of makeup). If ESPN were a true working-place frathouse, Brooke Hundley would have never gotten a job there unless her dad is some sort of high-ranking Disney exec. Even still though…

Brooke Hundley was probably hired by a woman who didn’t want her job threatened… which leads me to my next point…

2) WOMEN ARE HIRING PA’s AT ESPN. This is absurd. I’ve worked in TV for a while and have learned that lucky guys and hot women get jobs (entry-level on up). I’ve been unemployed for over a month now and am more than certain my average looks are to blame. I’m not mad at this. Hell, given hiring power, I’d hire the entire Brazzers roster over all those overqualified, eggheaded, coke-snorting (not the fun kind), Ivy League fruitcakes. We can safely say that although ESPN may have long ago been a glorious frathouse, they’ve been eaten alive by Title IX loving, Teva sandal wearing, women. These ladies have pulled one of the most successful coups of all time in my opinion.

3) My third point is in no way affiliated with my first two points. Hypothetical situation: you’re Steve Phillips, you’re married, and your wife isn’t satisfying your many complex man-needs. Where do you go? Instinct says you go to the hottest piece of ass that will let you bone her. Instinct is, in this case, wrong. Hot girls have entitlement issues, low self-esteem, and bodies that you would kill your best friend over. And they WILL CAUSE PROBLEMS. They’ll either tell your wife at a highly inappropriate time and/or wear an adult diaper and drive across many, many states with the intent to harm you. Fortunately for you, Steve Phillips, ugly ladies are generally much less problematic. They’re just happy for attention. They have vaginas and those vaginas are fun. Hot girls have vaginas but they come at a higher price.

Steve Phillips fucked a fat girl because she gave him the things his wife would not. And he thought these things were free. And they usually are when a fat girl is involved. But the fat girl went BAT SHIT CRAZY! This is highly unusual. One can only assume her dad actually is a high ranking Disney exec (hence the entitlement) and my whole argument is ruined. If I were actually employed, this email would’ve been a huge waste of time.

27
Oct
09

Phillips Enters Sex Addiction Rehab, Sounds Like Fun!

Steve-phillips-fired-from-espn(1)After being unceremoniously canned by ESPN late Sunday night, now-former BBTN analyst Steve Phillips did the only super cliche thing left to him, enter a rehab facility. Because after all, the American public will forgive and forget ANYTHING so long as you at least make a cursory “attempt” to get help. This isn’t a PR ploy though, after all, Steve

“really needs help, and this was the best way to do it,” said his agent, Steve Lefkowitz, in describing his decision to attend a high-priced facility — in a mystery location — that specializes in sex-addiction treatment.

“It was a bid to keep his life. He’s going in for an illness,” Lefkowitz said. “The problem is, he fell off the wagon.”

I had no idea there were high-priced facilities to treat sex-addiction, I just thought you send someone off to one of the Hedonism resorts and let them sate their appetites for a week. I know sex addiction is a real issue that can be a hardship for many people, but it’s hard to look at as anything but fun. I mean, if you’re a sex addict and you get sent to a place filled with other sex addicts is a bad idea, especially when you’ve had a vasectomy and anything goes. Unless of course you have terrible taste in women. Uh-oh! Steve Phillips is in trouble…

[NY Post]

 

22
Oct
09

Sex Doll Stands in for Michelle Beadle

Remember the fauxmercial Michelle Beadle from ESPN’s Sportsnation made making fun of Brett Favre and his Wrangler ads? Since it was so popular, the ESPN folks released a behind-the-scenes clip showing how they shot the vicious hit Beadle takes at the end of the advert.

I bet it’s not the first time a blow-up sex-doll has been expensed at ESPN…

[Outside the Box Score]

21
Oct
09

Steve Phillips Puts the Screw to an ESPN Staffer

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Former Mets GM and current ESPN baseball “analyst” Steve Phillips has been suspended by the WWL after details of an affair he had with a 22-year-old production assistant came out. The young lady, Brooke Hundley, apparently was distraught when Phillips broke things off with her and began calling and texting Phillips’ wife. According to Phillips, Hundley became “obsessive and delusional” after he dumped her, and really how could you not, I mean, he’s STEVE PHILLIPS.

Unfortunately, she has hidden her profile picture on Facebook, but there is always Myspace, and so you can get an idea of what she looks like to the left or by going HERE. Helen of Troy she is not.

NYMETS2KS9Hundley met Phillips while working on a St. Louis Cardinals game on July 13th, “Over a three-week span, I had a total of three sexual encounters with her,” Phillips told police. “Those were the only times I spent any time alone with her.”

Apparently Steve Phillips has some kind of raw animal magnetism, or she has a couple screws loose, because Hundley started harassing Phillips’ wife Marni on August 5th with text messages and phone calls. “The tone of the text message was, ‘I care about Steve, I make him happy, and we both can’t have him,’ ” Marni said.

Brooke HundleyAt the same time Hundley was attempting to contact one of Phillips’ sons through Facebook, posing as a high school friend and then trying to find out information about his parents like if they slept in the same bed, if they were fighting and whether he thought they were going to get divorced. Which makes sense considering her LinkedIn profile claims she has “Extensive knowledge in new and emerging technologies especially in social networks.”

Hundley also came to Phillips’ Connecticut home leaving a letter for Marni and sitting in her car outside the home. When Marni arrived home with her 7-year-old son, Hundley attempted to speed off, slamming into a stone column, damaging the rear end of her car before driving away.

In the letter, Hundley details her affair with Phillips, and mentions “a big birthmark on his crotch . . . and one on his left inner thigh, so you know I’m not being fake.” So now you have that image in your head. Enjoy!

Who knew Steve Phillips had such a pull on the ladies. Of course, this isn’t the first time Li’l Steve has gone where he shouldn’t, while he was GM of the Mets he had to take a brief leave of absence after word of an affair with an employee came out and she sued him for sexual harassment. ESPN has suspended Phillips for a week, which is the most merciful thing to ever happen to baseball fans. Marni meanwhile has filed for divorce and Phillips has already deeded over their home to her.

[NY Post]

05
Oct
09

Every Sunday Should Be for Breast Awareness

I know what’s on Chris Berman’s mind…

[Fan IQ]

29
Sep
09

ESPN to Air 300 Hockey Games This Season!

espnAfter ESPN stopped airing NHL games they did everything possible to ignore the sport; highlights were few and far between, analysis was non-existent and for most Americans the sport faded from consciousness. Well, hockey is back and making an attempt at a resurgence, the first step was today with the big news from ESPN: starting October 1st ESPN will air over 300 hockey games on its various networks. HOORAY!

The only catch? The games will only be broadcast on the family of ESPN networks residing in EUROPE, primarily in the UK.

Sigh.

Looks like hockey will never get another chance…

[Biz of Hockey]

16
Jul
09

I Have GOT to Become Rich and Famous

Because being a famous highly well-paid athlete isn’t good enough, for those athletes in attendance at the ESPY’s in Los Angeles, here is a list of some of the items they received in the gift tents beforehand.

  • Undefeated and EA Sports: The two companies teamed up for the most practical and most gaudy giveaways. Everybody’s first stop was for their custom military-style duffel bag ($225 est), which was used for carrying all the other goodies. They also gave 30 VIPs a personalized PlayStation 3 or PSP, which was laser-engraved while the recipient waited in a lounge serving Patron.
  • iHome: The electronics maker handed out a variety of products, including the iH29 speaker case, iConnect Media Keyboard and wireless laser mouse ($179.99), and laptop cooling pads.
  • Simmons Jewelry: Yup, there’s nothing Russell Simmons doesn’t make. Several of his jewelry lines were on display, primarily made of stainless steel. There was one watch with an MSRP higher than most new cars. VIPs were given items worth up to a few hundred dollars.
  • NameDrop.com: A new website hoping to be Facebook for the glitterati, they’ll promote the pros and charge regular subscribers an introductory $2.99 per month to read their content. For the celebs who signed up this weekend, they handed out a free Flip Cam.
  • Muze Clothing: Specializing in t-shirts printed with classic movie lines, Muze came into the pop spotlight recently when Tony Romo was seen wearing their clothes while out with Jessica Simpson. Let’s hope his shirt lasted longer than his relationship.
  • Skullcandy: Looking to promote their new Decibel Collection, Skullcandy (which produces fashion headphones) handed out a number of their mid-range products.
  • Assorted eyewear: We never quite figured out what the eye guy was doing, but he did fit Pittsburgh Penguins coach Dan Bylsma for some prescription Nike glasses and was displaying a pair of Calvin Klein sunglasses with an 8 gigabyte flash drive in the frame.
  • Pure Power Mouthguard: Designed to improve jaw alignment and thereby improve athletic performance. You wouldn’t think it makes that big of a difference … but one of their dentists was able to help this writer’s strength and balance just by shoving a pen between my teeth. Their sponsored athletes get fancy versions, but apparently weekend warriors can drop a couple grand in hopes of dropping a couple strokes from their golf game.
  • Wynn: The Las Vegas casino gave a select crowd gift certificates along with an all-access VIP card for entrance into the clubs and pool. One Laker we talked to wasn’t impressed, joking that he gets free three-room suites at a rival resort. Maybe he’ll spend it at Tryst.
  • Marley Coffee: Ziggy isn’t the only one carrying on the family legacy. Turns out Bob always wanted to be a farmer, and his son Rohan is growing beans — the caffeinated variety. Hardcore sports fans may remember that he was on the 1991 Miami Hurricanes national championship team.
  • Axe: Branching out of the spray-on market less than a year ago, stylists worked on guy’s hair while they handed out bottles of product.
  • Zirh: Not to be outdone, the high-end men’s skincare line set up mini-massages and gave away some of their cremes and masks.
  • Patron: Besides serving drinks throughout the event, Patron also boxed up some basic party supplies and handed them out.
  • Pizza Fusion: Hey, somebody had to cater … being LA, they had to go organic.
  • Sentient: You probably haven’t heard of them because you don’t fly in private jets. And you won’t fly in private jets until you can afford to do so without a coupon. Which is why they were giving coupons to those who could afford it. One of life’s great Catch 22’s.

[LAist]

09
Jul
09

There Goes Her Social Life

erin_andrews_sexy_4At last night’s Mets/Dodgers game Erin Andrews and the rest of the Wednesday night baseball ESPN crew were in attendance. Unfortunately for her, she got a ball in the face from Alex Cora when he hit a line drive foul in the 4th inning.

Now, less classy people would make plenty of balls on her chin jokes, but I’m way above that. I don’t need to stoop to that level. Indeed a lesser man might make plenty of oral sex jokes, or even deep-throating comments, but again, that’s not me. I’m all class.

Anyways, she was taken to the hospital a few innings later and her only injury was a bruised chin.

[TMZ]

21
Jun
09

It’s Important to Know Who is Playing…

I’m just saying, if the Sunday Night Baseball game is supposed to be a big deal to ESPN, why is it they can’t get the teams right?

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