Continuing arguably one of its worst weeks since becoming an international sports powerhouse, ESPN has backtracked on its report that quarterback Mike Vick will be suspended four games to start the 2009 regular season.
Controversy erupted on Twitter in the aftermath of the initial report, with NFL spokesman Greg Aiello stating, “Despite what ESPN says, commish has made no decisions on MVick.”
The remark was “retweeted” by NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy. ESPN’s Chris Mortensen responded with a tweet of his own, “Despite what anyone says, ESPN did not report a decision has been made, based on what I just read on dot.com.“
Not long thereafter, Mort clarified himself.
“I take that back,” he said. “After this 12-hr drive, I just read the espn.com story and the lead is
erroneous. Guess I can’t get to bed yet.“
The story from ESPN.com currently reads that Vick is expected to be conditionally reinstated, and that the decision could include a four-game suspension.
Remember when MTV used to show music videos then it started showing nothing but garbage?
Remember when ESPN had cool anchors and highlights and then it started showing nothing but, ….oh no
Good to see Schefter made the right decision. Can you ware short while reporting from hell?
Florio, there hundreds upon hundreds of reasons I frequent this site for my football news, NOT ESPN. I’m sure it’s the same for others. You don’t need to continue to remind us WHY we do.
peepsaf:
Na, I sorta like it when he makes ESPN squirm…
ISO new sports media outlet. ESPN reminds me of something out of Orson Wells “1984″.
ESPN has turned into a jackass farm full of bitter hacks and glib, smug, self-appointed know it alls.
I would rather get my sports news from al jazeera than watch any of that crap.
Looking in my crystall ball…
Vicks agent dropped a hint to the League Office, implying that if Vick is held in limbo too long by Roger Goodell that he would be taking the UFL’s offer…
Obviously the NFL would do anything in their power to keep eyes off of the newly sprouted United Football League.
Why would they let one of their biggest stars of the last 10 years, walk to a competing league? This would be a godsend for the UFL, it would almost solidify their ratings overnight. Would you watch Micheal Vick? I would…
And the NFL knows this, So expect an easier reinstatement for Vick than anticipated. This is Big Business you know!
DBL
I wouldn’t want this to turn into ESPNTalk.com… but really, someone has to hold them accountable for their shoddy reporting and obsession with pop culture.
Will be interesting to see what the new ESPN ombudsman has to say in their first post…
I love ESPN b/c it’s packed w/ sports, but I love this site even more b/c it’s got the truth.
ESPN has an ombudsman?…….I guess that’s a sign of progress.
By the way
“Remember when MTV used to show music videos then it started showing nothing but garbage?
Remember when ESPN had cool anchors and highlights and then it started showing nothing but, ….oh no
”
Haha, I love it.
ESPN is to sport what MTV is to music!
Again, Mort reported that sources close to the investigation said that Vick would not be charged with the crimes that he was eventually charged with.
Mort has ZERO credibility as far as I’m concerned.
Also, why is it news that Goodell “could” reinstate Vick conditionally that “could” include a 4 game suspension? Why not report that Goodell “could” ban Vick for life? Or Goodell “could” hire Vick to play full time QB for both teams?
ESPN originally refused to report the news about Roethlisberger. What happened with the word “could” in that case? Why not report that Roethlisberger “could” be going prison if the state chooses to file criminal charges?
Matthew Stafford “could” lead the Lions to a perfect 19-0 season. Now that would be quite a story! Why not report it?
Me thinks they floated the idea of four games to see what public reaction would be.
Since the proverbial fecal matter has impinged upon the rotary oscillator they have denied it now.
The again ESPN could now just be filled with a bunch of morons.
Doesn’t ESPN recognize that they are sliding from King of the Mtn down to National Enquirer status? Don’t they care? I no longer go to their website or listen to their radio broadcasts becuz if I don’t want tabloid news that is so far removed from any stretch of the word credibility when it comes to citing their “sources.” The only thing i use espn for is their highlight reels on sportscenter. It’s hard to believe that they continue to allow themselves to lower to such “standards”. I guess if you throw enough shit, something mite eventually stick!
How can this be? I listened to a 2 hour lecture yesterday from Colin Cowherd about the responsibility ESPN has as the worldwide leader.
“We’re at the top of the mountain and the winds blow stronger at the top of the mountain We have to make sure we have the story right. We can’t jump on a story and report it like a small website or a blogger”
No not you Colin….idiot
peepsaf:
Na, I sorta like it when he makes ESPN squirm…
ISO new sports media outlet. ESPN reminds me of something out of Orson Wells “1984″.
george orewell’s 1984 , but i agree espn is a complete joke and should be ranked up there with such great news outlets as tmz , and those magazines that show the half bat half human thing on the front cover
Is this like Florio hearing rumblings that there was not going to be a meeting between Vick and the Commish.
“Continuing arguably one of its worst weeks…” I know Florio thinks that this has been a nightmare for ESPN, but the fact remains is that they are seen in more homes and recognized by more people in the world on a daily basis than Florio sees in a year.
This is a great website- as long as the host does not get too full of himself.
This site once called itself a rumor mill. Now there’s a tab that says latest news and rumors. This site doesn’t pride itself on “reporting the facts”. ESPN chose not to talk about the Roethlisberger story for this reason.
profootballtalk.com is what it is and most of us love it.
ESPN’s ombudsman was going to comment but mgt sent a memo dictating no comments.
Wow. I can’t believe it.
As a long-time reader of pft.com, I had become convinced that most of my fellow readers were nothing more than sheep who got their marching orders – and their opinions – from ESPN, but it’s encouraging to know that I’m not the only guy who absolutely DESPISES the WWL.
While ESPN does a decent job of providing sports news, the benefits of that service are over-ridden by the network’s left-wing, PC agenda and self-smitten “personalities” – not to mention a nasty habit of stealing the work of other media outlets and claiming it as an ESPN report.
Beyond that, ESPN has lowered the bar throughout American society by glorifying unsportsmanlike behavior, and it’s attempting to turn sports into “Entertainment Tonight” by playing up the “connections” between egomaniacal athletes and egomaniacal entertainers. (Exhibit A: the ESPY Awards Show, an abomination against God and man that “celebrates” the very worst that human beings have to offer.)
Unfortunately, ESPN has a monopoly on televised sports “news,” so as long as there are millions of jock-sniffing teenagers – and “adults” who have the mentalities of 14-year-old boys – the WWL will continue to thrive by appealing to the LCD.
Who could imagine ESPN making up a news story in this day and age? That is so hard to believe.