Free Bruce Feldman! Free Him Now, ESPN!
TMC
In a stunning development, SportsbyBrooks breaks news that ESPN has
suspended one of its writers, Bruce Feldman. If you haven’t followed
the story, you’re wondering if Bruce violated one of ESPN’s
journalistic protocols. Or did he commit plagiarism? Or did he fail to
source a quote? Or was he insubordinate to his bosses? Apparently none
of these.
According to SportsbyBrooks, Feldman committed the sin of writing the
biography of former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. In it, Leach
criticized ESPN for its coverage of his firing. Leach wasn’t happy how
the network also covered the controversy involving the treatment of
son of ESPN college football analyst Craig James. Feldman wasn’t
totally assured of writing the book due to his association with ESPN,
but he got his bosses’ blessing.
But after the book was released this week, ESPN brass weren’t happy.
And despite Feldman not promoting the book on his Twitter account, on
ESPN.com or any ESPN platform, he was suspended indefinitely and
cannot post on Twitter, or anything associated with ESPN.
Feldman has received plenty of support from fellow writers on Twitter
through a #freebruce hashtag. In addition, both Sports Illustrated and
CBSSports.com sought comment and none is forthcoming. And you add to
the fact that ESPN staffers have been told to keep quiet on the matter
shows you how the Alleged Worldwide Leader is acting on this matter.
It has chosen some strange battles to fight and this is one of them.
The reaction to Feldman’s suspension has been 100% in favor of him.
Now, we don’t have ESPN’s side of this story and many writers and
bloggers are waiting for a statement. Whether it comes in the near
future is anyone’s guess.
My favorite tweet reacting to the suspension comes from Dan Wolken,
sports columnist for the online newspaper, The Daily:
ESPN has employed multiple plagiarists and they draw the line at Bruce
Feldman? Nice work, WWL
Dan Wolken
DanWolken
Of course, that makes reference to noted plagiarist Mike Barnicle
whose debut for Grantland this week falls under scrutiny.
Feldman joined ESPN.com in 1994 and helped to shape what the site has
become today. He’s been one of the best writers on its staff and also
seen on various ESPN programming through the years.
This reaction by ESPN makes it look like a paranoid behemoth. Here’s
hoping the support for Feldman will be seen by ESPN and the decision
is reversed very soon.
J.C. Watts Enslin
actual sporting events, chooses to act like this. Honestly, they are
so self-important and self-promoting, that I almost feel dirty when I
turn on the damn channel.