It seems everyone is trying to deny ESPN these days.
Jameis Winston — not pleased by the predraft coverage he had received from the World Wide Network — balked at the idea of giving ESPN his first post draft interview, and instead gave it to NFL Network.
According to Sports Illustrated’s Richard Deitsch the two networks — ESPN and NFL Network — rotate between which one gets to interview the first overall draft pick. NFL Network interviewed Jadeveon Clowney last year and this year it was supposed to be ESPN. Instead, the first post-draft interview with the new Bucs QB went to Steve Wyche.
Deitsch says, according to two sources, Winston’s camp wasn’t pleased with the overall coverage ESPN gave the top selection heading into the draft. He then reportedly declined to give ESPN the first interview. He would eventually talk with ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi, but by then it was too late. Instead of the interview running during draft coverage, it ran later on SportsCenter.
Winston’s agent, Greg Genske, sent a statement to Deitsch on the matter.
“On the night Jameis joined the NFL, it was simply our preference that his first interview be with NFL Network,” Genske said. “A few seconds later, Jameis enjoyed his interview with Tom Rinaldi and looks forward to future interviews with ESPN.”