That didn’t take long.
On Sunday, we reported longtime ESPN announcer Ron Franklin was in hot water for calling a sideline reporter “sweet cakes” later clarified as “sweet baby”.
Today he has been fired by ESPN. Sports By Brooks who broke the story has more details:
ESPN released the following short statement on Franklin’s firing “Based on what occurred last Friday, we have ended our relationship with him.”
After the firing, an ESPN source told me that Franklin’s termination was not only related to the incident with Edwards, but also an inappropriate on-air comment the veteran announcer made to ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe in 2005.
Another ESPN source indicated to me after the termination that ESPN Programming Executive Norby Williamson was dissatisfied with Franklin’s level of contrition following the incident with Edwards. That lack of remorse included Franklin failing to apologize to Edwards personally.
In 2011 you can’t get away with anything—someone is always watching. So watch what you say and do, because if you drop a “Sweet Baby” comment, have a few too many beers before driving or interact with someone named “Deep Throat”, people are going to notice.
Use your brain it’s a tool.