ESPN Pulls TV Announcer Over Last Name

[n david]

It will never end. It's bizarro world out there right now.

So much so, that ESPN actually removed a TV announcer for a football game this weekend because his name is Richard Lee.

I am not lying.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2...me-due-to-name

The dude is ASIAN! IIRC, and I've watched a lot of college football games, I believe this is the ONLY Asian tv announcer for ESPN college football. And ESPN demoted him over his last name....a very popular Asian last name!

From Twitter:

"""Irony: Punishing an Asian-American for his last name out of fear of racism."""

"""ESPN hates racism so much that they're punishing an Asian guy for having an Asian last name."""

[Jermyn Davidson]

It's decisions like THIS that take away from the legitimacy of the valid points.

Maybe it is not "punishment"-- especially if his private employer is going to pay him just the same as if he was really doing the broadcast.

If this indeed turns out to be or have the affect of punishment, I hope he has a very good pay day coming his way!

Just wait till the pendulum swings back the other way!

[n david]

Originally Posted by Jermyn Davidson

It's decisions like THIS that take away from the legitimacy of the valid points.

I hope he has a very good pay day coming his way!

ESPN says it was his idea. The game he was covering is the University of VA...it's being played in C-Ville. ESPN is claiming the announcer didn't want the attention from his last name.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by n david

ESPN says it was his idea. The game he was covering is the University of VA...it's being played in C-Ville. ESPN is claiming the announcer didn't want the attention from his last name.

Well... It still was a dumb idea and a dumb decision to honor this dumb idea.

[n david]

ESPN original statement:

""""“We collectively made the decision with Robert to switch games as the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name,” ESPN said in a statement. “In that moment it felt right to all parties. It’s a shame that this is even a topic of conversation and we regret that who calls play-by-play for a football game has become an issue.”"""

Journo Yashar Ali received an email from an ESPN exec seeking to do further damage control:

"""This wasn't about offending anyone. It was about the reasonable possibility that his name would be subjected to memes and jokes and who knows what else. Think about it. Robert Lee comes to town to do a game in Charlottesville. The reaction to our switching a young, anonymous play by play guy for a streamed ACC game is off the charts - reasonable proof that the meme/joke possibility was real.

So when the protests in Charlottesville were happening, we raised with him the notion of switching games. Something we do all the time. We didn't make him. We asked him. Eventually we mutually agreed to switch.

No biggie until someone leaked it to embarrass us and him. They got their way.

That's what happened.

No politically correct efforts. No race issues. Just trying to be supportive of a young guy who felt it best to avoid the potential zoo."""

So it wasn't Lee's request, it was ESPN's request. Lee is a PT employee who, per ESPN, calls about a dozen basketball and football games a year. Not much of a choice, if you're Lee, IMO.

[n david]

You know, ESPN created this issue. This is a game being streamed online. It's not on any ESPN channel. It's a game only able to be watched online or on their mobile app. Had they left it be, I doubt anyone would have noticed anything. But their hypersensitivity to the PC culture right now created this mess.

Since being purchased by Disney/ABC, ESPN has become far too political. They're losing subscribers by the thousands. Just a few months ago they laid off a massive number of their staff. People don't go to ESPN.com to read about politics. They don't watch any of the ESPN tv channels to get political commentary. Unfortunately, ESPN has been pushing liberal politics the past few years and they are paying for it.

[Esaias]

We're being Sovietized.

When the pendulum swings its gonna be a wrecking ball.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by n david

ESPN original statement:

""""“We collectively made the decision with Robert to switch games as the tragic events in Charlottesville were unfolding, simply because of the coincidence of his name,” ESPN said in a statement. “In that moment it felt right to all parties. It’s a shame that this is even a topic of conversation and we regret that who calls play-by-play for a football game has become an issue.”"""

Journo Yashar Ali received an email from an ESPN exec seeking to do further damage control:

"""This wasn't about offending anyone. It was about the reasonable possibility that his name would be subjected to memes and jokes and who knows what else. Think about it. Robert Lee comes to town to do a game in Charlottesville. The reaction to our switching a young, anonymous play by play guy for a streamed ACC game is off the charts - reasonable proof that the meme/joke possibility was real.

So when the protests in Charlottesville were happening, we raised with him the notion of switching games. Something we do all the time. We didn't make him. We asked him. Eventually we mutually agreed to switch.

No biggie until someone leaked it to embarrass us and him. They got their way.

That's what happened.

No politically correct efforts. No race issues. Just trying to be supportive of a young guy who felt it best to avoid the potential zoo."""

So it wasn't Lee's request, it was ESPN's request. Lee is a PT employee who, per ESPN, calls about a dozen basketball and football games a year. Not much of a choice, if you're Lee, IMO.

I understand the logic but disagree with the mutual decision made by ESPN and Lee.

They say it was mutual. There is nothing to suggest it isn't true BUT if it isn't true, then I am sure Lee will lawyer up.

[Jermyn Davidson]

Originally Posted by Esaias

We're being Sovietized.

When the pendulum swings its gonna be a wrecking ball.

We're not being Sovietized bro...

But I fear you are correct on your "wrecking ball" statement.