Keith Olbermann and is often times honest and opinionated — recipes for short stays with employers who have a bottom line, or millions to lose.
With negotiations for a new deal coming up, The Hollywood Reporter has breaking news on a potential contract clause, that would call for Olbermann to cease engaging in “commentary” on his ESPN2 show.
Specifically — Commissioner Roger Goodell themed commentary.
The issue likely stems from Olbermann’s critical assessment of the NFL’s handling of the Ray Rice domestic abuse scandal that exploded last summer when an elevator video of Rice punching then-fiancee Janay Palmer in the face surfaced after the NFL had imposed a slap-on-the-wrist, two game suspension on the Baltimore Ravens star running back. Olbermann repeatedly hammered NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. In a lengthy commentary at the top of his Aug. 1 broadcast, he called on the commissioner to “resign” after what Olbermann described as a “weak, damaging and almost enabling reaction” to the episode.
The NFL has been pilloried throughout the media – and also faced pressure from advertisers – for its handling of a string of violent incidents involving its players. ESPN’s highly-regarded investigative series Outside the Lines was a leader in reporting on the scandal. Olbermann is not the only ESPN personality who has been critical of Goodell and the league. Bill Simmons’ profane criticism of Goodell was likely the tipping point for his departure from the network after 15 years, during which Simmons built the online site Grantland and also co-created the award-winning documentary series 30 for 30.
Pro Football Talk is reporting that ESPN denied making such a request — releasing this statement:
“Keith Olbermann has never been told any topic is off-limits for his commentary nor has continuation of it been part of any conversation about his future at the company,” ESPN’s statement said.
ESPN has a deal with the NFL to televise Monday Night Football worth $15.2 billion — yet still has an obligation to report the news, and call out those may not be upholding a certain standard.
ESPN Producers reportedly “made changes” to Olbermann’s on-air commentary, and let him know — hours after parting ways with Bill Simmons — that he was going to have to “tone it down.”