ESPN Ombudsman Weighs In On Amaechi Coverage, Other Issues

Ombudsman Feels ESPN’s Coverage Of Amaechi Was Over The Top

In his latest contribution as ESPN Ombudsman, George Solomon wrote the “synergism generated by ESPN’s multimedia operation was never better illustrated” than by the coverage of John Amaechi’s announcement of his homosexuality last month. Someone “announcing his or her candidacy for the presidency could only hope to match the saturation coverage ESPN accorded Amaechi.” An ESPN viewer wondered, “How does ESPN handle conflicts of interest by publishing a book (by Amaechi) and then highlighting that book in its magazine, TV programs and Web site?” Another “felt the coverage was self-serving, while a third asked the Ombudsman, ‘Don’t you think ESPN’s coverage was over the top?’” Solomon: “Yes. ... ESPN would have been better served by showing more restraint. In my view, you can cover a story without overkilling it.” But ESPN Exec VP/Studio & Remote Production Norby Williamson said, “When a former NBA player makes this kind of revelation, it’s a newsworthy story. The interview on [‘OTL’] and the ESPN Magazine story created strong reaction from the public that we felt was worthy of the coverage we subsequently provided on ‘SportsCenter’ and other outlets.” He also “pointed to reaction to the story nationally.”

OTHER ISSUES: Solomon wrote of ESPN’s decision not to re-sign NFL analyst Michael Irvin, “Viewers deserved a final ESPN interview of Irvin with an ESPN media reporter, which, unfortunately, ESPN lacks.” Solomon noted “viewers who believe professional hockey has been getting short shrift from ESPN since the NHL left the network will be closely watching ESPN’s coverage of the [AFL] and NASCAR. ... Additional NASCAR and AFL programming does not help the viewers’ perception of network impartiality. Which is why the annual ESPN weekend celebration at Disney World in Orlando puzzles me. Who needs it?” Meanwhile, Solomon noted, “ESPN finally has a corrections policy in place that should please ESPN viewers.”

FAREWELL: Solomon’s tenure as ESPN Ombudsman ends April 1. He is expected to file one more column (ESPN.com, 3/5).