The changing political dynamics ESPN is dealing with are examined by Public Editor Jim Brady, who writes the company is "far from immune from the political fever that has afflicted so much of the country." Internally, there is a "feeling among many staffers -- both liberal and conservative -- that the company's perceived move leftward has had a stifling effect on discourse inside the company and has affected its public-facing products." Consumers have "sensed that same leftward movement, alienating some." For most of its history, ESPN was "viewed relatively apolitically." If there was "any tension internally, it didn’t manifest itself publicly." That has "changed in the past few years, and ESPN staffers cite several factors." Those include the "rise of social media," as well as the net's "increase in debate-themed shows." There have also been "concrete actions that have created a perception that ESPN has chosen a political side, such as awarding Caitlyn Jenner the Arthur Ashe Courage Award" at the '15 ESPYs. ESPN President John Skipper said, "It is accurate that the Walt Disney Company and ESPN are committed to diversity and inclusion. ... We do not view this as a political stance but as a human stance."
RED AND BLUE: Brady cited many ESPN employees -- both liberal and conservative -- as saying that they "worry that the company's politics have become a little too obvious, empowering those who feel as if they're in line with the company's position and driving underground those who don't." A conservative ESPN employee said, "If you’re a Republican or conservative, you feel the need to talk in whispers. There’s even a fear of putting Fox News on a TV." However, ESPN's Jemele Hill "isn’t buying that." Hill: “I would challenge those people who say they feel suppressed. Do you fear backlash, or do you fear right and wrong?” Skipper, on whether he worries about conservatives at ESPN feeling left out, said, “I do not." Anchor Bob Ley "doesn’t believe there is anything nefarious going on, just that the bias is somewhat ingrained." Skipper added, "Sports occupies a central place in our society, and, as such, it is unavoidably cultural in nature." ESPN VP/Global Digital Content Patrick Stiegman said of social media, "We remind reporters and analysts that they (are) representing ESPN at all times, though we understand there’s going to be a level of political discussion.” ESPN VP/Consumer Insights Barry Blyn said that the political makeup of ESPN's audience "isn't a major focus." Blyn: "It's not something we spend much time on." Brady noted some conservatives have even claimed a recent televised town hall with President Obama was a "sign of ESPN’s bias." But the "assertion that giving a president airtime is a tacit endorsement is a symptom of today’s absolutism" (ESPN.com, 11/8).
