A new book about ESPN reveals that the network's
history "hasn't been all Diaper Dandies, Big Mondays ... and
mirthful 'SportsCenters,'" according to Richard Sandomir of
the N.Y. TIMES, who reviews Mike Freeman's "ESPN: The
Uncensored History." Sandomir: "In addition to recording a
past that includes gambling, drug use and brutal workloads
at the ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Conn., the book tracks
incidents of sexual harassment, many of them well in the
past." ESPN VP/Communications Chris LaPlaca: "We had some
issues in the past. We addressed them whenever they were
brought forward. We learned from the experience and it's a
much better place today." Sandomir writes that ESPN Exec
Editor John Walsh is portrayed as "not acting swiftly enough
to change the culture" around the network, but he receives
"considerable credit for the journalistic upgrade" of
"SportsCenter" since his arrival in '88. Walsh, on the
book's accusations: "I and my family were hurt by my
portrayal as a person who doesn't care or isn't sincere
about the women who work at ESPN." The book cites anchor
Mike Tirico for "several incidents of sexual harassment
against female colleagues, which led to a three-month
suspension" in '92. Tirico: "Several items about me in the
book are simply not true. Any issues from eight years ago
have been appropriately dealt with." Sandomir writes that
the sexual harassment allegations "make up a relatively
small part of the book, but they will attract the most
attention, which worries ESPN." Walsh: "It's not a fair
portrayal of the place where I work" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/21).
