Bruce Feldman and ESPN: Why ESPN Allegedly Had to Suspend Feldman

In the case of the suspended ESPN writer, Bruce Feldman, vs. the world wide leader in sports, aka ESPN, the public outcry has gone in favor of Bruce Feldman over the way he was suspended from ESPN.

In case you are late to this story, let me catch you up with a shortened version.

According to the website Sports by Brooks in a story released on their website last Thursday they reported that Feldman was suspended indefinitely by ESPN for his work on the former Texas Tech head football coach Mike Leach’s recently released autobiography, “Swing Your Sword.”

In the report, ESPN gave Feldman permission to work on the book before Leach was fired from his position as head coach of the Texas Tech program.

This seemed all fine and well; as a great writer was going to help a coach pen his autobiography for the world to read. Then this happened.

Leach was terminated from his position after alleged mistreatment of player Adam James, who is the son of ESPN college football analysis Craig James.

Adam’s father Craig could be seen on television during these allegations lambasting Leach’s mistreatment of his players, specifically his son, and calling for his termination.

From that point forward, it was ESPN’s place to take a side in this story; their side was with their employee, James.

So the news coming from Bristol that well respected journalist Feldman was now banned from writing on any ESPN platform, appearing on any ESPN related programming, using his ESPN Twitter account, or promoting the book in any way is not shocking.

The network took a side when this situation broke in 2009, and two years later they still stand by their man in Craig James.

To Feldman’s credit, he did his part in asking his employers if they had any problems with him helping in Leach’s book. But, this was before the incident with Adam James, not after.

Where ESPN erred is not coming back to Feldman after taking James’ side, telling him that if he continued to work with Leach, he could face disciplinary actions.

There is the possibility that if one of the three ESPN executives (ESPN Vice President and Director of News Vince Doria, ESPN THE MAGAZINE Editor-in-Chief & ESPN Books Editorial Director Gary Hoeing, and ESPN.com Editor-in-Chief Pat Stiegman) who handed the suspension down on Feldman would have expressed their displeasure with his involvement, that Bruce would have ceased work on this book.

Bruce is a smart guy; he’s well-respected in his writers’ community, why would he continue to work on a book if his bosses would have told him not to?

However, why didn’t Bruce, after the Leach scandal was brought to life, go back to his bosses at ESPN and get their reassurance that his involvement was still approved?

It seems that Feldman knew that he could receive some backlash from his employer as when the book was released to distributors on Monday, Feldman made no comments on his Twitter page or his ESPN blog to promote the book.

It is easy to get behind the case for Feldman. He did nothing wrong. He wrote a book about a head coach who was fired on allegations. It is easy to go against ESPN for standing behind their guy in Craig James. They are the big bully here in this story by almost black balling one of their employees in favor of another one.

But, ESPN had to do this. They had to show support for one of their own; even if it meant a big wave of backlash against the company.

Bloggers, writers, and everyone with a platform have started a “boycott” against ESPN for their treatment of Bruce. There even was a trending hash tag on Twitter of #freebruce.

But will any of this really affect the world wide leader in sports? Will anyone really boycott their college football coverage? Honestly, will you the reader not watch ESPN’s College Game Day come September when the season starts?

No, of course you won’t.

ESPN is the machine that drives sports coverage today. They can afford to take a side in this situation by delivering a suspension like this to one of their own, then face whatever sort of backlash that comes.

After that, bring back the suspended writer in a nice public relations move. And finally let all of this wash away like nothing ever happened.

Sure, you’re upset now at the treatment of Bruce Feldman, but it won’t stop you from watching ESPN, listening to any of their podcasts, following any of their Twitter pages, or heading to ESPN.com.

ESPN had to make a move to save face. No matter how wrong it may seem; they made a stance back in 2009 and they’re going to stick with it.  

Twitter: @tjmcaloon

Credit to Sports By Brooks

(UPDATE from ESPN from Deadspin: "There was never any suspension or any other form of disciplinary action. We took the time to review his upcoming work assignments in light of the book to which he contributed and will manage any conflicts or other issues as needed. Bruce has resumed his assignments.")