Matthew Barnaby: ESPN Must Deal Swiftly with Out-of-Control NHL Analyst

ESPN has yet another analyst in trouble with the law, so if they were smart they would deal very swiftly with hockey analyst Matthew Barnaby.

Update: According to Emma Carmichael of Deadspin.com, ESPN has cut ties with Barnaby and has fired him "effective immediatly".

To be fair to ESPN, it's not like they are the only company in the world that has employees who can get in trouble with the law, and unfortunately, alcohol related incidents are all too common in today's society.

That being said, it goes without saying that ESPN is a huge network that receives a ton of publicity, so anything negative that happens to them is going to go mainstream very quickly.

There is quite a difference between Fred from the local store getting in trouble for driving over the limit, and an ESPN analyst like Jalen Rose earlier this year.

Yes, it's the same crime, but the publicity and overall influence of the person is much different.

According to Michael Klopman of The Huffington Post, Barnaby was arrested early Monday morning and charged with a DUI:

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ESPN hockey analyst Matthew Barnaby was arrested early Monday morning in Clarence, N.Y., and charged with DWI after being pulled over for driving erratically. His Porsche was missing a front tire and was sparking as it ran on the front rim.

According to WGRZ, Erie County Sheriff's Department, the 38-year-old former Buffalo Sabres player failed several sobriety tests and refused a breath test, which automatically caused his license to get revoked.

A spokesperson for ESPN said that the network is looking into the situation.

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It's good that they are looking into the situation, but I firmly believe that they need to do more than just look into it.

ESPN needs to take swift action to discipline Barnaby, even if it has to be a harsh penalty.

To make matters worse for Barnaby, this is his second run in on the wrong side of the law, as he spent the night in jail after being picked up from his home because of multiple criminal charges stemming from a fight with his estranged wife.

Like it or not, these analysts are just as much role models as the players they talk about are, and sending any other message than the fact that drinking and driving is unacceptable and has major consequences would be a failure by the "Worldwide Leader in Sports."