If you work in sports media, ESPN is the Holy Grail.
Like a lot of dream jobs though the reality is different from the fantasy you have made up in your head.
The majority of on-air positions that black people hold are mostly ex-athletes. The majority of the black employees work behind the scenes and have very little power to do anything to change their standing in this massiveconglomerate
While Rachel Nichols and Maria Taylor is a high-level problem it is the lower level where morale is terrible according to the LA Times.
Five sources at a range of levels at ESPN confirmed the New York Times’ report of intense stress and unhappiness among many Black employees and other journalists of color. It isn’t limited to Taylor, Hill and other on-air talent, with senior producers and support staff behind the cameras equally frustrated.
“ESPN collects Black faces, but it seems like that when those Black faces become Black voices, it’s a problem.” Jemele Hill.
It was cool to be Black Lives Matter in 2020, but not so much in 2021 so things are back to the status quo.
Flip the page where I explain the reason ESPN is in this situation is because of money.