WEEI-FM's Kirk Minihane last night posted a "carefully crafted apology" on the station’s website after he made several "vulgar on-air comments" during yesterday's "Dennis & Callahan" show about Fox' Erin Andrews, according to Jessica Heslam of the BOSTON HERALD. Minihane in his apology said, "My choice of words was wrong; I was wrong to have used them. To all whom I offended -- particularly Ms. Andrews -- I apologize. There is no place for what was said. It was immature and completely uncalled for. I am often critical of media members and their work and recognize here that I’ve made the kind of mistake I would call out if it was done by another sportscaster or writer." Heslam notes while Minihane "ended up apologizing for his demeaning remarks," it was "not before the whole brouhaha had some wondering whether it was all a desperate bid to boost ratings." If it was, it "backfired, bigtime." Radio consultant Donna Harper: "This is WEEI trying to get ratings by creating controversy and pandering to the lowest form of sexist stereotypes" (BOSTON HERALD, 7/17). Minihane's original comments came during a discussion of Andrews' MLB All-Star Game interview with Cardinals P Adam Wainwright. He said, "What a bitch! I hate her! What a gutless bitch! Seriously, go away; drop dead. I mean, seriously, what the hell is wrong with her? First of all, follow-up. Second of all, the guy admitted he did it -- he admitted it! He told reporters he threw a couple of pipe bombs. How is that social media’s fault? I hate her; I seriously hate her so much. ... Social media is the reason she has a big house! Shut up -- shut up! I shouldn’t call her a bitch, I’m sure she’s a nice person." Show co-host Gerry Callahan later said, "I’ve got a follow-up question for you, bubblehead: What does social media have to do with it? Social media at times fans the flames. What does that have to do with this? … There were like 20 reporters there, and he said, 'I served him up a couple of pipe bombs.' … And this bimbo says, 'Don’t you love social media?'" (“Dennis & Callahan,” WEEI-FM, 7/16).
AGE-OLD QUESTION: In DC, Nia-Malika Henderson wrote under the header, "Did Fox’s NFL Sideline Reporter Pam Oliver Get Demoted Because She’s Too Old For TV?" Oliver indicated she was surprised by her demotion in favor of Andrews, while an anonymous reporter suggested the shift was motivated by looks and age, and Henderson wrote an "underlying current of Oliver’s comments, as well as those of the other NFL reporter, suggests this: while it’s Erin Andrews’s turn now, in a handful of years, she might very well be in the wrong demographic, too" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/15). SPORTS ON EARTH's Aaron Gordon wrote sideline reporters who are women "are removed from the field at a far younger age than regular commentators, ostensibly due to an unwritten requirement that sideline reporters be young, attractive females." There "is an age ceiling for female sideline reporters that simply doesn't exist for male commentators." Aside from "being biased, unfair and perhaps illegal, the NFL and its partners are missing an opportunity to showcase distinguished women voices." Scarborough Research data shows that women represent 45% of the NFL fan base and "one of out every three NFL television viewers." The NFL "has gone to great lengths to increase these numbers, yet it has never seemed to dawn on the league or its broadcast partners to give women regular, prominent roles" (SPORTSONEARTH.com, 7/17).
TAKING A SHOT: ESPN’s Michelle Beadle made a subtle reference to the Oliver situation last night during the ESPY red carpet broadcast. She said, “I feel like the business we're in, I will get pushed out at some point because I’m getting old.” ESPN’s Cari Champion replied, “Listen, you are aged out, babe.” Beadle: “It’s what people do these days.” ESPN’s Jalen Rose added, “Subliminal, subliminal” (“2014 ESPYs Countdown,” ESPN, 7/16).
