ESPN Pulls Ad Promoting Affairs Through Matchmaking Site

ESPN Pulls Ad Promoting Extramarital Affairs Through Matchmaking Web Site

ESPN is “yanking a commercial for an infidelity matchmaking service,” according to Gomstyn & Shasha of ABCNEWS.com. ESPN Dir of Media Relations Amy Phillips said that ESPN “has asked its local affiliates to stop running an ad for AshleyMadison.com, a Web site that connects would-be cheaters with potential mates.” Phillips would not say why ESPN decided to pull the ad, which has aired during “SportsCenter.” AshleyMadison.com President Noel Biderman said ESPN is “inundated” with ads for alcohol, a product “responsible for health issues and ultimately death.” Biderman: “Somehow I’m immoral and everything else is OK.” AshleyMadison.com “boasts a membership of more than 2.2 million,” and for $49 members can “create profiles and send e-mails and instant messages to each other.” A slogan on the company’s homepage reads “Life is Short. Have an Affair” (ABCNEWS.com, 8/4).