Should ESPN Reverse Decision To Ban All N.Y. Post Staffers?

ESPN To Review Its Ban Of N.Y. Post Staffers This Week

ESPN's decision to ban N.Y. Post staffers from appearing on any of its programming after the paper published photos from a video showing ESPN's Erin Andrews nude was an "understandable (even noble) show of support for its employee," but the ban is a "mistake, and ESPN should reverse its decision," according to Richard Deitsch of SI.com. The problem is that ESPN's decision "does not punish any of the perpetrators," as the "only people at the Post affected by the ban are those who reside in the Post's sports section, a staff that had nothing to do with an editorial decision made on the news side." ESPN Senior VP/Corporate Communications Chris LaPlaca: "We stated at the outset that the Post sports reporters had nothing to do with the way Erin was treated. We just felt strongly that in this unique circumstance, it would be wrong to have the words 'New York Post' on our air in the aftermath of such treatment. We believe we made our point in the strongest available manner and that our perspective was widely understood." LaPlaca added that ESPN "will review the policy this week" (SI.com, 7/27).

DOUBLE STANDARD? SPORTS MEDIA WATCH reported ESPN has "violated its policy against reporting on civil suits involving athletes," as ESPN The Magazine's Shaun Assael reported on the suit against free agent WR Marvin Harrison in a "lengthy article" on ESPN.com. ESPN last week refused to initially cover the civil suit against Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger "citing a policy against reporting on civil suits involving athletes." SPORTS MEDIA WATCH: "Why would ESPN hold back with Roethlisberger and rush to be first with Harrison?" ESPN "appears to have different standards for different athletes" (SPORTSMEDIAWATCH.BLOGSPOT.com, 7/27).

DEFENDING THEIR TURF: BROADCASTING & CABLE's Michael Malone writes with ESPN "poised to launch local sites" in N.Y., L.A. and Dallas, station execs in those markets are "inverting an old adage: If you can't join 'em, beat 'em." WFAA-ABC President & GM Mike Devlin: "I see it two ways: either they're formidable competition or we discuss the possibilities for partnership." One station GM whose market is "not yet being targeted" by ESPN said, "You don't want them in your market. What's so scary is that they're such a trusted brand that they'll get eyeballs no matter what they do." ESPN Radio Senior VP & Regional Manager Jim Pastor: "It's all very early, but I think we'll explore opportunities with our owned-and-operated stations. We'll decide where it makes sense" (BROADCASTING & CABLE, 7/27 issue).

American Cable Association Chief Says ESPN360.com Drives Up Broadband Retail Cost

FIGHTING BACK: American Cable Association (ACA) President & CEO Matthew Polka in a keynote address at the Independent Cable Show noted that ESPN360.com is pursuing a closed Internet business model that requires broadband access providers to pay fees based on their total subscriber base, and he said that small, independent cable operators have a right to be concerned if Web content providers decide to block consumer access to their Web sites until broadband access providers agree to pay wholesale access fees. Polka: "Here we have drawn a line in the sand. ACA will fight ESPN360.com and its business model clones because all they do is drive up the retail cost of broadband for everyone" (ACA).