ESPN Suspends Adrian Wojnarowski After Profane Email to U.S. Senator
12 Julho 2020 - 05:33PM
Dow Jones News
By Benjamin Mullin
Walt Disney Co.'s ESPN has suspended Adrian Wojnarowski, its top
scoopmonger on the inner workings of the National Basketball
Association, after it was revealed he used profane language in an
email to a U.S. senator, according to a person familiar with the
matter.
Mr. Wojnarowski will be suspended from ESPN for at least a week
without pay, the person said.
In a statement posted on Twitter Friday, Mr. Wojnarowski
apologized for sending an email to Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) with
profane language in response to a press release from Mr. Hawley's
office earlier in the day that criticized the NBA for its policy on
political speech about China.
"I was disrespectful and I made a regrettable mistake," Mr.
Wojnarowski wrote. "I'm sorry for the way I handled myself and I am
reaching out immediately to Senator Hawley to apologize
directly."
Mr. Wojnarowski didn't respond to an email seeking further
comment. A spokesman from ESPN declined to comment.
Outkick earlier reported that Mr. Wojnarowski had been
suspended.
On Friday, Mr. Hawley's office distributed a press release that
linked to a letter from the senator to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver
calling on the league to broaden the list of political messages
recently approved for players to wear on their jerseys. The letter
suggested including slogans supporting the U.S. military, police
officers and pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong.
Minutes after the press release went out, Mr. Wojnarowski dashed
off a two-word reply that contained the "F" word, according to a
screenshot Mr. Hawley posted to Twitter.
In his letter, Mr. Hawley also said that the NBA apologized to
the Chinese government after Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl
Morey tweeted in support of pro-democracy protesters last year.
At the time, the NBA said that it was "regrettable" that Mr.
Morey's tweet offended the league's Chinese fans but didn't
apologize to the Chinese government.
An NBA spokesman said the league was reviewing Mr. Hawley's
letter.
Mr. Hawley said on Twitter on Sunday that ESPN shouldn't suspend
reporters but rather "ask tough questions" about the NBA's
relationship with China. He also requested a meeting with ESPN
President Jimmy Pitaro, who has steered ESPN employees away from
outright political commentary since he was appointed president in
2018.
Mr. Wojnarowski's suspension comes as the NBA is planning to
resume a shortened regular season that will conclude with playoffs
on the Disney World campus in Orlando. Players are being isolated
to minimize the risk of contracting the coronavirus.
Write to Benjamin Mullin at Benjamin.Mullin@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
July 12, 2020 16:18 ET (20:18 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2020 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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