Cricket Player Asks Reporter Out on a Date During Interview, Doesn't Get Favorable Response
By The Big Lead
Sexist, sleazy or both? Whatever it is, @Mel_Mclaughlin handles this exchange with Chris Gayle superbly @henrygayle pic.twitter.com/JQyIUiNV3l
— Auskar Surbakti (@AuskarSurbakti) January 4, 2016
Cricket player Chris Gayle channeled his inner Joe Namath and turned a sideline interview with Ten Sports’ Melanie McLaughlin into an awkward affair by asking her out for a drink.
After McLaughlin asked about his aggressive approach as a batsman during a tournament, Gayle decided to shoot his shot.
“I wanted to get an interview with you as well,” he said. “That’s the reason I’m here. Just to see your eyes for the first time is nice. Hopefully we can win this game and we can have a drink afterwards. Don’t blush, baby.”
McLaughlin, though rattled, maintained her composure in the face of the unwanted advance, getting off a follow-up question — which only provided Gayle another opportunity to mention her eyes.
The tournament’s directors didn’t much care for the exchange.
Statement re Chris Gayle on air comments tonight. pic.twitter.com/Zq6xn8fquW
— Anthony Everard (@AnthonyEverard5) January 4, 2016
Nor did Gayle’s club, the Melbourne Renegades.
"Renegades chief executive, Stuart Coventry, supported Everard’s view in regards to his opening batsman’s behaviour tonight. “I heard Chris’s comments and we agree with both Cricket Australia and Channel 10 that they’re disrespectful and simply inappropriate,” Coventry said. “We’ll certainly be talking to him in association with Cricket Australia about it."
Most importantly, McLaughlin didn’t seem to appreciate being objectified while simply doing her job. Definitely a poor choice.