SI.com's Richard Deitsch reported ESPN's Britt McHenry "has been suspended one week by the network following the release of a video tape on Thursday in which she is seen berating a towing company worker." In what "appears to be an edited tape," the woman at the towing establishment "threatens to play the video of the interaction." McHenry is "shown on the tape responding." McHenry on Thursday released a statement via Twitter, which read in part, "In an intense and stressful moment, I allowed my emotions to get the best of me and said some insulting and regrettable things" (SI.com, 4/16). NBC News’ Erica Hill reports a spokesperson for McHenry indicated that the tape "has been edited and doesn’t show the complete version of events." However, the spokesperson "also admitted either way it does not justify her actions.” NBC’s Hoda Kotb said, “I don't even care about the rest of the conversation. It's one of those things when you see how someone goes off like that, and she knew someone was watching” (“Today,” NBC, 4/17). MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski said, “It’s not what you see on the air, it's everybody that you interact with in life. There is no reason to be that unkind to anybody. None” (“Morning Joe,” MSNBC, 4/17). Turning Point USA Exec Dir Charlie Kirk said McHenry's actions in the video are "inexcusable." Kirk: "ESPN relies on her to communicate with other people as her profession. I think she should be not just disciplined for it, but questionably released" (“Varney & Company,” Fox Business, 4/17).
IDENTIFYING THE MIKE: In Tampa, Greg Auman profiled NFL Network Draft analyst Mike Mayock, noting he "has joined" ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay in "feeding fans' thirst for draft information and evaluation." Mayock is "respected for the depth of his knowledge and his reputation as a well-connected evaluator, always looking for more tape to review." Meanwhile, as many "use Twitter following as a measuring stick," Mayock "isn't interested." He said, "I don't know if I'm smart not doing it. I get a lot of pressure to do it. People think I could have a big following. In my heart, I like to keep the football as pure as possible. It may sound hokey, but that's how I feel about it" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 4/11).
BRIAN'S SONG: In Salt Lake City, Christopher Kamrani profiled Real Salt Lake TV analyst Brian Dunseth, who has "launched what has become a flourishing career as a soccer analyst, both at RSL and nationally." Dunseth "called nearly 125 games in 2014 all over the continent for local broadcasts, as well as Fox Sports, ESPN and NBC Sports." A full-time broadcaster now since '08, Dunseth "remains a versatile -- and rising -- voice in American soccer." He and RSL VP/Broadcasting & Communications Trey Fitz-Gerald "are co-hosts of a Monday night soccer show, 'On Frame,'" on ESPN Radio 700 Salt Lake City. He also is part of a Thursday night show on KUTV-CBS' "Talkin' Sports" devoted to RSL and MLS (SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, 4/16).
ALL ABOARD: Former MLBer Dontrelle Willis has been added to FS1's MLB coverage as a studio analyst. Willis will make his debut Monday on "Fox Sports Live" and contribute to the net's weeknight highlight program "MLB Whiparound" and "America's Pregame" (Fox).
