Hill reportedly approached management about leaving the network she has worked at since '06ESPN IMAGES
Jemele Hill will "accept a buyout from ESPN as part of an 'amicable' split," according to sources cited by Alex Putterman of the HARTFORD COURANT. Hill has been a "controversial figure at ESPN thanks to her firebrand style and willingness to speak her mind, particularly with regards" to President Trump. Hill began at ESPN in '06 and has "filled numerous roles," including a yearlong stint as co-host of the now-abandoned "SC6" show. Since exiting that gig in January, she has "written columns for The Undefeated." The news of her departure was "first reported" by author Jim Miller, who tweeted that her last day "would be Sept. 1." A source said that Hill will "co-host multiple editions of ESPN’s 'Highly Questionable' in the coming week, among other appearances on network platforms" (HARTFORD COURANT, 8/27).THE ATHLETIC's Richard Deitsch wrote with ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro "charged with healing his company's relationship with the NFL and wanting to escape as many connections to political talk with his brand," Hill's exit was "inevitable" (THEATHLETIC.com, 8/27). VARIETY's Brian Steinberg noted Hill's departure comes after Pitaro had "emphasized ESPN's role as an apolitical chronicler of the sports world." In a recent interview, Hill "expressed a desire to get more involved in production" (VARIETY.com, 8/25). Deitsch tweeted that Hill "approached management" about the exit. She and The Undefeated's Kelley Carter "have a production company -- Lodge Freeway Media -- so that will be part of her post-ESPN world" (TWITTER.com, 8/25).
STILL UNDEFEATED? Deitsch also tweeted, "Something to keep an eye on at ESPN: The future of @TheUndefeated. This was an important project to former President John Skipper -- especially given the delays in getting it started and how hard Skipper worked to get [The Undefeated Editor-In-Chief Kevin Merida], one of the newsroom leaders in the country." Deitsch: "Does the Undefeated, unafraid to write on the nexus of social justice and sports, fit into what ESPN is doing longterm? (TWITTER.com, 8/26).
