Earlier this week Sportscenter anchor Max Bretos used the "chink in the armor" phrase when discussing Jeremy Lin's weaknesses on a late night edition of SportsCenter. Late Friday evening, an ESPN.com writer used the phrase as well on the website. Subsequently, ESPN announced today on ESPNFrontRow.com that Max Bretos would be suspended for 30 days and the writer was fired from the company.
"At ESPN we are aware of three offensive and inappropriate comments made on ESPN outlets during our coverage of Jeremy Lin.
Saturday we apologized for two references here. We have since learned of a similar reference Friday on ESPN Radio New York. The incidents were separate and different. We have engaged in a thorough review of all three and have taken the following action:
- The ESPN employee responsible for our Mobile headline has been dismissed.
- The ESPNEWS anchor has been suspended for 30 days.
- The radio commentator is not an ESPN employee.
We again apologize, especially to Mr. Lin. His accomplishments are a source of great pride to the Asian-American community, including the Asian-American employees at ESPN. Through self-examination, improved editorial practices and controls, and response to constructive criticism, we will be better in the future."
Frankly, I feel like Max Bretos got a raw deal in this scenario. Sure, it was an inappropriate phrase to use but given the fact that his wife is Asian I don't believe any malice was used in this scenario and 30 days suspended is too much. The WWL definitely stepped up to the plate and hit one out of the park in terms of coming down and showing no tolerance for this sort of behavior, but I feel like the suspension could have been slightly lighter, around the 15 days range or so.
Either way, bravo ESPN. Bravo.
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