A report last week of a three-team NBA trade caused
CNN/SI correspondent Jackie MacMullan to offer her
resignation to the network, according to Mark Montieth of
the INDIANAPOLIS STAR-NEWS. MacMullan, who "never intended
to broadcast the rumor," had mentioned a deal involving the
Pacers' Dale Davis, the Magic's Rony Seikaly and the Sixers'
Clarence Weatherspoon to a CNN/SI anchor as "something that
might make sense" before going on the air. MacMullan was
then "surprised to be asked about it during the broadcast,
but passed it off as a weak rumor." Then, an editor for
CNN/SI's online service, CNNSI.com, posted the trade story,
with her byline, on the web site. MacMullan did not learn
about the story being posted until Pacers President Donnie
Walsh called her to "stress its inaccuracy." The story was
then removed (STAR-NEWS, 7/27).
ON SITE: In L.A., Tom Hoffarth reviewed CNNSI.com,
saying, "It can't hurt to have another voice in the 'we
provide everything' battle to hook more sports junkies."
But Hoffarth added that CNN/SI "can't expect immediate
converts" (L.A. DAILY NEWS, 7/28).
