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ESPN Suspended Kornheiser for Being Kornheiser - UPDATED

Tony Kornheiser led his radio show Tuesday by reiterating that his remarks about Hannah Storm were "intemperate and stupid remarks" before addressing the news of his suspension from PTI:
"As a result of this, I have been sent to sidelines from PTI for a while and when I'm allowed back on PTI, I will happily go back because I love the PTI show and love all the people on the PTI show.

"I've said about 1,000 times, while doing radio in my life, the following sentence: if you put a live microphone in front of somebody, eventually, that person will say something wrong. This was one of the times I said something wrong. Beyond that, you can call me and ask me for comment. I'm not going to do it. It seems to me that, without any question, I broke the rules and this is the punishment that's come."

Honestly, I love Tony and have been on record about 1,000 times myself that the reason I do a show every day is because Kornheiser showed me a better way to do talk radio. His show, over the length and breadth of his time on radio, has been the best show around. That's it. That's the list.

Having said that, it doesn't mean anyone should care what he says. Kornheiser has made a living trashing other people for any myriad of reasons – for everything from his own amusement to professional sabotage of others in the business (and for those regular Mr. Tony listeners, by the business, I mean the industry.).

Heck, we even designed Death Star Radio charity t-shirts with the saying "Help Friends. Hurt Enemies. Have a good time."

Except this time, it seems Kornheiser didn't hurt his enemies, he took an uncontested shot at a fellow ESPN employee. So slap on the wrist he gets. As I said on Monday, while this may have been the most pointed attack at Storm's attire on SportsCenter, it was by no means the first for Kornheiser. I wasn't surprised when Kornheiser apologized, but frankly, I’m surprised that the apology wasn't enough.

Reports indicate that Kornheiser will be off PTI for "a few days" which is like giving a kid an out-of-school suspension for pantsing a girl in the lunch line. Will there be more to this? Will Kornheiser have to make a formal apology on ESPN's air upon his return to PTI or will his radio apology – on a local ESPN affiliate in Washington, D.C. – be enough to satiate the PC police in Bristol?

I guess we'll have to stay tuned…which is obviously what ESPN wants anyway.

UPDATE - ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz sent over this quote from John Skipper:
"Tony Kornheiser's comments about Hannah Storm were entirely inappropriate. Hurtful and personal comments such as these are not acceptable and have significant consequences. Tony has been suspended from PTI for two weeks. Hannah is a respected colleague who has been an integral part of the success of our morning SportsCenter."
 John Skipper, ESPN Executive Vice President, Content

This post originally appeared on the Sporting Blog. For more, see The Sporting Blog Archives.

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Not a story!!!! Too PC of a society

by shermsms on Feb 23, 2010 2:22 PM EST reply actions  

Does Kornheiser play a sport?  No?  Well then who the hell cares?

by SailorGabe on Feb 23, 2010 2:26 PM EST reply actions  

ESPN is fast becoming a joke. It was a pointless suspension. Let me know when Tony is back and I’ll resume watching PTI.

by Sgt_Schultz on Feb 23, 2010 2:45 PM EST reply actions  

I agree with shermsms. Society too PC these days.

by Tileking59 on Feb 23, 2010 3:14 PM EST reply actions  

Hannah should one-up him by reporting wearing only one of those painted on shirts and pants, kind of like they do in SI swimsuit issue. She’s getting huge publicity as it is, may as well take it all the way. I’ll tune in.  Come on Hannah, do it.

by qscft6y on Feb 23, 2010 4:17 PM EST reply actions  

Storm dressed like she was sixteen, and was rightly called out on it. ESPN can suspend Kornheiser for attacking his own company, but I can guarantee that Storm’s outfits will be toned down.

by ShaunPhillips on Feb 24, 2010 1:20 AM EST reply actions  

it’s like telling grandma’ she has a booger. some things have to be said.Tony just pointed out the pro verbial booger at the dinner table that’s all

by nfc beast on Feb 24, 2010 8:34 AM EST reply actions  

As long as he doesn’t do live sports who cares.

by ColinCoward on Feb 24, 2010 10:30 AM EST reply actions  

I read Kornheiser called Berman fat or something too. As bad as Tony was on MNF he is that good on Pardon the Ejaculation.

by champdailey24 on Feb 24, 2010 11:53 AM EST reply actions  

I am wondering why Tony would make any comments about another person’s physical, outward appearance.  I mean, just look at the guy!  This is a case of the old, proverbial pot and kettle.

by Tacowancanobie on Feb 24, 2010 12:35 PM EST reply actions  

I wonder if Storm could parley this attention to a Playboy opp or something?

by toshiro on Feb 24, 2010 1:59 PM EST reply actions  

Hannah could have interjected and said it was all a joke, but since not she’s probably the source of the complaint.  If so, then I want nothing to do with her on ESPN anymore; if she comes on the TV then it’s an immediate channel switch to something more useful like the NFL channel.  
 
In addition, a network’s internal issues should never go public like this. By suspending him you’re telling the whole world that inside ESPN, Tony needs to back off.  Huh?  You want ME a viewer to know about THAT? Give me a break. It has to be all Hannah and she must be very insecure about her looks.

by slughand on Mar 4, 2010 9:17 AM EST reply actions  

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