Opposing Viewpoints: ESPN's Firing of Ron Franklin

Two of our analysts weigh in on ESPN's firing of Ron Franklin because of remarks he directed toward reporter Jeannine Edwards at a Fiesta Bowl production meeting. Nterogator says the firing was political correctness run amuck, while 007Diva says Franklin got what he deserved.


Ron Franklin’s Firing: What a CROCK!

It is being widely reported that ESPN reporter Jeannine Edwards has written an e-mail to USA Today, explaining her side of the incident that led to Ron Franklin’s termination by ESPN. According to Edwards, Franklin called her “sweet baby” in a condescending tone, and when she objected, he used a derogatory term. It appears that for this transgression, Franklin, a veteran ESPN announcer since 1987, was fired. What a CROCK!

Please understand – I’m not defending or condoning what Franklin did. But this is not a firing offense. People banter in the workplace all the time. If Edwards had made a similar remark to Franklin, would she have been fired? I don’t think so. There are a number of things wrong with ESPN’s actions, not the least of which is what appears to be blatant hypocrisy. How can ESPN routinely put hotties like Erin Andrews on the sidelines for virtually every telecast in an obvious attempt to boost viewership and ratings, and then fire a male employee the moment he steps slightly over the line? Talk about political correctness run amuck!

In the opinion of many fans, Franklin is one of the best and most respected announcers in the business. Unfortunately, like most human beings, he’s not perfect. At Sports Intelligence Analysts we analyze the veracity and candor of public commentary, so just to be perfectly clear, here’s what candor sounds like: Ron Franklin’s firing was wrong, shortsighted, hypocritical, and worst of all, political correctness out of control!

-- Nterogator


Franklin Should Have Kept His Job? Horse hockey!

It has taken numerous battles over the past year, but finally, we have an organization that’s strong enough to hand out sufficient punishment when appropriate (hey Favre, Goodell, you listening?). ESPN has taken the strong stance of firing Ron Franklin after he referred to sideline reporter Jeanine Edwards as “sweetbaby” in a Fiesta Bowl production meeting. I am sure there are many individuals, men and women alike, who are sitting there, judging ESPN harshly for their actions, but I’d be willing to bet there are just as many applauding its decision.

Football, whether high school, college or professional, is a male-dominated sport – about that there is no argument. But just because women don’t wear pads and helmets doesn’t mean they don’t understand football as well as their male counterparts.

And it doesn’t mean they should be belittled for their role in the sport. Yet we continue to see women involved in the sport treated disrespectfully by fans and commentators alike.
What Franklin said was wrong – not just because of his words, but because of his tone. Telling a woman in ANY professional environment to “leave it to the boys, sweetbaby” (or sweetcakes as reported originally) is condescending, derogatory and sexist, and there is no place of business where it should be appropriate. Franklin only made it worse when he referred to Edwards as an a-hole when she told him not to talk to her like that. And while there are those who are crying foul because of his termination, be aware that the exchange between Edwards and Franklin was reported to ESPN management by another staffer in the room, in addition to Edwards – so apparently that person either recognized the problem or was equally insulted by Franklin’s comments.

Initially, Franklin was pulled from the Fiesta Bowl for his comments and offered the chance to apologize to Edwards for his statements. Instead, he offered a weak apology to the public but made no apology to Edwards directly. If he had, perhaps he would have received the same punishment he received when he previously insulted another female sideline reporter, Holly Rowe, in 2005. In that incident, he sarcastically commented on her sideline observations before referring to her as “sweetheart” during the Purdue/Notre Dame game. After that incident, he was warned about his behavior and he apologized to Rowe directly for his comments. It saved him his job that time. But it is difficult for a leopard to change its spots, and Franklin again returned to his boorish and arrogant behavior by offering his damning comments to Edwards.

Franklin and his supporters may hide behind the fact that he is “of a different generation” and as such is not up on the latest trends as to which comments might be considered sexist. Horse hockey!! Franklin’s comments are a sign of disrespect to Edwards, Rowe and all other women who are involved in the sports world.

Generational misunderstanding is no excuse for his Neanderthal behavior – it’s all about respect. And we ALL deserve respect, regardless of our gender. Cries of political correctness from those who do not understand that simple premise are ridiculous. Kudos to ESPN for introducing and adhering to a standard of accountability in public broadcasting, one which others should strive to emulate.

-- 007Diva