It wasn't so bad that caustic sports columnist Tony Kornheisercommented on his Feb. 16 radio show that his slim, 47-year-old, ESPN colleague, Hannah Storm, had on "a horrifying, horrifying outfit." After all, she was rocking a red V-neck sweater, a short tartan skirt, and red stiletto boots. But then he added this: "She's got on red go-go boots and a Catholic-school plaid skirt. Way too short for somebody in her 40s—or maybe early 50s by now... She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body." Try talking that way about a co-worker next time you're at work and see how quickly Human Resources is gettin' in that ass. Pause.
Of course, Kornheiser received a two-week suspension from ESPN for his remarks, but he's not the first ESPN employee to come out his face. Here's some other examples of former or current ESPN anchors who have gotten themselves into trouble by making controversial statements about other members of the sports media.
KEITH OLBERMANN VS ESPN AND ALL OF BRISTOL, CT
YEAR: 1997
FIGHTING WORDS: While on The Daily Show, Olbermann referred to Bristol, Connecticut (location of ESPN's headquarters) as a "Godforsaken place." The comments sparked a feud which resulted in Olbermann leaving the network that same year.
COMPLEX SAYS: Over a decade later, Olbermann is still banned from the Bristol headquarters and was even snubbed on the SportsCenter 25th Anniversary reunion back in '04. At least beefing with Bill O'Reilly has proved to be far more lucrative for Olbermann.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JOE MORGAN VS. BILLY BEANE/MONEYBALL SUPPORTERS
YEAR: 2003
FIGHTING WORDS: Ever since Michael Lewis' Billy Beane profile Moneyball dropped, baseball statheads have praised the Oakland Athletics' general manager for his innovative use of statistical analysis in making personnel decisions. However, Morgan has been critical of Beane (and the book), referring to him as being the author of Moneyball and saying, "Anytime you're trying to make statistics tell you who's gonna win the game, that's a bunch of geeks trying to play video games."
COMPLEX SAYS:The feud led to the launch of one of the funniest (albeit sadly no longer updated) sports blogs of the last decade, firejoemorgan.com. Guess one of ESPN's more popular baseball commentators ain't learn nothing from Revenge of the Nerds?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JAY MARIOTTI VS KEN HARRELSON
YEAR: 2004
FIGHTING WORDS: Chi-town reporter/ESPN panelist Jay Marrioti had beef with Chicago White Sox broadcaster Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson after The Hawk called Jay "the biggest sports fraud" in '04. Trading shots back and forth led to a physical altercation at the Metrodome that summer. Marrioti later threatened to "pinch Hawk's beak off."
COMPLEX SAYS: Who knew Around the Horn's whipping boy was so gully outside of the studio?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JASON WHITLOCK VS ROBERT "SCOOP" JACKSON
YEAR: 2006
FIGHTING WORDS: In an interview, Whitlock called former ESPN colleague Scoop a "clown" and "bojangle" saying, "the publishing of Scoop's fake ghetto posturing is an insult to black intelligence." Scoop responded by stating that Whitlock had been one of his idols, but he felt disrespected and doesn't shuck or jive for anyone.
COMPLEX SAYS: Whitlock has since been fired from ESPN, and Scoop is still mistaken for Q-Tip when making guest appearances on the network.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TONY KORNHEISER VS MIKE GOLIC
YEAR: 2006
FIGHTING WORDS: After Kornheiser made his debut as the host of Monday Night Football, Mike Golic mocked Kornheiser's ability as a commentator, since he never played the game. Kornheiser clapped back by saying "I just want to wring Golic's neck and hang him over the balk of a shower rod like a duck."
COMPLEX SAYS: With this much beef, if Kornheiser were a rapper he'd be The Game. Minus the butterfly tat and bipolar tendencies, and the fact that he's a grumpy old white man.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BILL SIMMONS VS WEEI'S THE BIG SHOW
YEAR: 2009
FIGHTING WORDS: Bill Simmons has a known history of logorrhea that has got him in trouble with ESPN. Last year, he went at the hosts of WEEI radio station's The Big Show via Twitter saying, "WEEI's 'The Big Show' was apparently ripping me today. Good to get feedback from 2 washed-up athletes and a 60-year-old fat guy with no neck."
COMPLEX SAYS: This would have been cool and all if WEEI wasn't an ESPN affiliate. ESPN issued Simmons a two-week suspension for his comments. We suggest Simmons and The Big Show's Glen Ordway settle this feud with a good 'ol fashion Twitter fight.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS POSTS
