The Erin Andrews Skimpy Dress Saga Lives!
ESPN, Media Gossip/Musings August 4th. 2008, 9:40am
The Erin Andrews Skimpy Dress Saga took the next logical steps over the weekend: A female sportscaster spoke out (eloquently, we should add), and the ESPN sideline siren gave two interviews about her clubhouse behavior.
In speaking to Randball and USA Today, Andrews tried to flip this situation and make it about columnist Mike Nadel, dropping phrases like: “people watching every single move I make” and “I’ve never been attacked like this before.”
Up to the soap box we go. Did she miss the part about the Cubs players and Cubs manager talking about her outfit? That’s why the column happened. If there aren’t quotes and winking and leering, and Lou Piniella referencing a fashion show, Nadel never writes this.
Erin, here’s a bit of a newsflash: If you want to be perceived as a professional, you dress professionally. A blogger mentioned to us that Andrews was essentially a glorified “pharmaceutical saleswoman with a microphone and a press pass,” and if you’ve ever seen pharm sales reps in the doctor’s office, there are essentially two types: The ones in the revealing sun dresses and the ones in the business suits (regardless of the weather). If you choose door No. 1, you’re going to have guys like Rick Sutcliffe and Lou Piniella noticing. And commenting.
And before we allow you to ascend to the soap box, one more note: The most interesting Andrews-related email over the weekend contained this brilliant sentence: “Her ‘I’m their little sister’ act is growing old.” We’d like to add to that the ‘tomboy’ business needs to go, too.
A female journalist’s take on the Erin Andrews story (On Milwaukee)
98 Responses to “The Erin Andrews Skimpy Dress Saga Lives!”
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August 4th, 2008 at 9:45 am
How did she not tell the story again about how her dad told her years ago to toughen up when criticized…I think that still has “I’m a tomboy” beat in terms of number of mentions
August 4th, 2008 at 9:45 am
Hey EA, you’re not “one of the guys” anymore when said guys want to bend you over the nearest training table.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:46 am
is there about to be a huge backlash on her now?
August 4th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Look, having listened to EA talk to telecom and journalism undergrads for an hour and field questions about how to get ahead, it’s clear she’s never thought her looks or her feminine wiles were the difference; she actually does get along with athletes well, and she views them as “her people.”
She maybe doesn’t get or want to get that she gets slobbered over by the masses, but, seriously, EA in a business suit would get struck down by ESPN pretty quickly. She’s clearly supposed to accentuate her attractive features; that’s what female sideline reporters have been pigeonholed as.
I like her and happen to think she’s a good reporter, regardless of her looks, but the trend of media personalities crying uncle when the lens of celebrity is used on them is tiresome and worrying.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:49 am
i am guessing the pictures aren’t doing her in this dress justice. it looks harmless to me. but for numerous sources to say the dress was inappropriate, it probably was.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:51 am
This is turning into the Favre story with pretty pictures.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:56 am
I do think she does a great job at what she does (which, may not be saying much), and she seems to be a cool and well grounded person. She does need to wake up though. She is attractive, and men (especially in a locker room setting) are going to view her that way. Don’t insult everyone’s intelligence by telling us it’s not like that.
August 4th, 2008 at 9:56 am
/says the blogger who dons a 2-sizes-too-small Affliction shirt for his interviews
August 4th, 2008 at 10:01 am
Obama take notes, they build you up and then they tear you down and spit you out.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:02 am
Nice roots.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:08 am
I’m just gonna throw this out there and see if it sticks:
Who fucking cares?
August 4th, 2008 at 10:10 am
“and if you’ve ever seen pharm sales reps in the doctor’s office, there are essentially two types: The ones in the revealing sun dresses and the ones in the business suits (regardless of the weather). ”
As someone who works in the medical field, that is spot on. Pharm Reps are some of the laziest people in the world. Wake up late, buy a lunch for a few doctors, and be on the golf course/bar/pool by 4 pm. Good for them. However, ugly people are not hired to be pharm reps. Most of the gals are extremely hot and at the very least, cute. Many wear knock out stuff designed to attract the attention of already too busy doctors.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:10 am
I have said it before and I will say it again…
SHE IS NOT THAT HOT!
August 4th, 2008 at 10:10 am
We have a winner!!!
August 4th, 2008 at 10:13 am
/says the blogger who dons a 2-sizes-too-small Affliction shirt for his interviews
Man, you go out and hit the bars at night and feel as if you forgot your uniform if you aren’t one of these chumps in a tight T shirt with angst/ angels/devels/stoopid fucking graphics all over them…….
Interrogative: Do the people that conform this strongly to trends feel cool and in?…..I mean, are they looking around seeing everyone else in the same shitty $30 t shirt and feeling like they are part of the cool club?…. Don’t they ever feel like sheep? I guess it’s like every other trend but this one really makes me laugh….
August 4th, 2008 at 10:14 am
While I don’t think the dress was out-of-line, EA should seriously re-read that article. Was Mike Nadel attacking her? It’s debatable. Was he jealous? Probably. Was he wrong to point out that the Cubs players and managers were a step removed from old men lechers? No.
EA is a grown woman (and a finely grown woman at that). I can’t imagine she’s gone her entire life not knowing that guys stammer or stare whenever she walks by. And while she might think herself as one of the guys, the Cubs were obviously not of the same mind.
I don’t think she’s done anything wrong, but she ought to take this experience and learn from it. Namely that if her bosses at ESPN choose to accentuate her physical attractiveness, many will take that as a sign that she’s “just a pretty face” and not give her the respect they would a colleague who’s just as smart, but not as hot.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:14 am
I guess every ESPN reporter has their own “thing”. Ed Werder has that boner he gets every time he talks about the Cowboys, Rachel Nichols has her rare blinking, and Erin Andrews has her revealing outfits.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Lesley Visser misses players wanting to bend her over the trainers table…now she has to look at Dick Stockton’s bad dye job…when hot chicks get old
August 4th, 2008 at 10:17 am
Ed Werder sure does love the Cowboys
August 4th, 2008 at 10:19 am
30$$? Did you get that t-shirt from TJ Max??
August 4th, 2008 at 10:21 am
For shame, TBL, siding with the bitter beat writers who wish they were taking in half this woman’s salary.
Why don’t we throw a burqa over her and call it a day. There, now she’s professional.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:22 am
She isn’t a beat reporter, or a feature columnist, an announcer, or an investigative reporter. She is a sideline reporter, and a pretty good one at that.
Her job is to interview to the coach at halftime/after game and get them to say something interesting on camera amid the mayhem around them. This is harder than it looks. Her job is to report on the status of players injured. Her job is to do short “bits” with fans or about interesting situations.
How does 2 inches of fabric improve her performance in any of these areas?
August 4th, 2008 at 10:23 am
They apparently cost more than $30 huh?
August 4th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I’ll give her 2 inches.
/Roman
August 4th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I think she would get looked at no matter what she wore. Some guys just stare and make comments no matter what..
August 4th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Any good looking female pharm rep who doesn’t mind rubbing her boobs nonchalantly/accidentally on a dr’s arm when talking to him can sit back and watch her bank acct grow and the promotions come in because she will have some high prescribing dr’s
August 4th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Truth.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:26 am
guinessgirl has it right, this past weekend my friends and I commented on girl dressed as a burrito.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:27 am
Other than Jill Arrington’s tank tops, when was the last time you heard such a furor about a sideline reporter’s gear? That sun dress is completely in appropriate for a baseball dugout.
and maybe people WILL take her seriously as a sideline reporter if she dressed the part.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Affliction? Please. I only sport Condom Depot garb.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Not siding with beat writers at all. But for Andrews to dress up like she’s hitting Marquee or something, and then play the, ‘oh, i’m one of the guys, it’s like I’m Lou’s daughter, I’m a tomboy…’ is pretty weak.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:29 am
When was the last time there was a sideline reporter as famous as EA? I can’t recall any, which I think would explain the hullaballoo that has risen as a result of a dress.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:29 am
clearly, not you. i take it that you didn’t vote for her in the culture competition?
August 4th, 2008 at 10:29 am
appropriate would be a pant suit TBL?
August 4th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I don’t know much about this Erin Andrews girl, but after catching up on some of the stories about her a few web logs, she almost seems like she could be my little sister. I bet her dad did a good job making her tough as she was growing up. I can respect that. She’s not bad looking either, which is nice.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:31 am
What about these “professional” male journalists who show up in sandals, shorts and a T-shirt (the male equivalent of a sun dress) to cover a day game when its 95 degrees outside. Sorry guys, to be considered a “professional” you’ll need to wear a suit to the ballpark from now on.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Erin is one of the better sideline reporters on tv these days. A few years back, Melissa Stark was the hot topic and then she quickly disappeared (I think b/c she had a baby). As a female, I think it is great that Erin knows what’s she talking about, she can ask good questions, and is widely regarded for her reporting. Baseball is unfortunately a guy’s world and like guiness girl said, she would probably look great no matter what she wore. I think these comments will continue, no matter what Erin wears. People ogle her in the dead of winter when she’s covering college basketball in sweaters and pants. She’s gorgeous. Get over it.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:33 am
Not my call. My opinion? You want to be comfortable, obviously. but in my humble opinion, yeah, a pantsuit is far more professional than a skimpy skirt or a dress.
question: you’re conducting an interview for a job position. one woman shows up in a suit. the other shows up in a sun dress. Whom do you take more seriously? this is obviously not to say that women in sun dresses cannot be taken seriously, but consider the task.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:34 am
You think Tony Siragusa has to put up with this shit?
August 4th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Exactly. I wonder what Mike Nadel wears to the games. And no, I’m sure he doesn’t buddy-buddy it up with any of the players, either.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Hillary Clinton wishes we had this discussion 6 months ago
August 4th, 2008 at 10:36 am
I could go along with that, but if every women started to wear pant suits then Hillary would have actually won.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Aaaaaah, men deciding what women should wear…where have I heard of that before?
August 4th, 2008 at 10:37 am
TBL: we’re friends. We hang out at each others’ houses and our wives swap recipes. But this infatuation with celebrity gossip has got to stop. She’s a (good) sideline reporter who happens to be good looking. I’m happy she’s good looking but it doesn’t affect her reporting one bit. Sideline reporting in itself is silly but she does a pretty good job of it nonetheless.
Doesn’t this constant reporting on whether she’s being professional enough feel masturbatory? You’re reporting on a story that’s only a story because someone else reported on it in the first place.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:37 am
What KILLS me is that Nadel’s ripping her, but he doesn’t say s*** when the Cubs players are making suggestive comments about her. Maybe he was just too put off by her outfit, but shouldn’t he step up to defend another journalist when players try to objectify her in the locker room? This guy’s completely full of it.
All that said, when is someone going to shine the light on Craig Sager? That guy’s been shaking it on the sidelines for years with his sexy jackets, and no one’s called him on it.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I might be alone on this one, but Tim Kurkjian in shorts and sandals is not the equivalent of EA in a sun dress and heels.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Alex Rodriguez vehemently disagrees.
/Because he’s gay.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Did Hef just become the TBL ombudsman?
August 4th, 2008 at 10:44 am
/Clicks over to MLJ, a baseball site (ostensibly.)
//Sees first post is about CFB rankings
///not judging
August 4th, 2008 at 10:45 am
EA can’t be that naive to think that wearing skimpy outfits is not going to overshadow her job. if she doesn’t think the way she looks isn’t going to get noticed, then why is she always carrying around makeup, hair spray and a hair brush?
August 4th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Mission statement does need to be re worked at MLJ.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:47 am
You think Tony Siragusa has to put up with this shit
Only in that he’s got a bigger rack than EA.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:47 am
I love the jump in logic that she either can either wear a scandelously short dress or a burka. She can still look attractive without looking like she’s at a beach party. For what it’s worth, I think for the most part Erin does dress appropriately. The yellow dress seems to be an anomoly for me. Remember that frumpy looking thing she was wearing for the Home Run Derby?
August 4th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Unless they acted like jerks in the college football post, then MLJ is alright.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:48 am
If you feel that way about men, so be it. And when you say ‘cover’ a game, can you please elaborate on the definition? It almost sounds like you’re calling Erin Andrews a journalist.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Because she’s a woman.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:49 am
I don’t think you need to show up in a pant suit and be completely devoid of any style or expression, but you also shouldn’t show up in a short and tight dress with high heels. There is a happy medium there, and to this point, I think she has done a fine job of fitting within it. It’s not that complicated really.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Sorry folks..spencer can’t be stopped…I tried.
It’s 2 and a half Nick..don’t forget the half
August 4th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I like chicks in sun dresses.
I think it’s funny how a hater gets to write on this site.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:50 am
I respect your opinion, but in our quest to “cover” the media, we’re going to include sideline reporters. And when one reporter takes a shot at another, we’re going to talk about it. And the links just keep coming in, so I’ll have to say: There will be another post on this topic tomorrow. Feel free to ignore it.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:51 am
TBL, have Intern Bill write it, Hef’s head will explode.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:53 am
As i think i’ve mentioned many times – i like sports. really do, but i could never write JUST sports 24-7. hence the movies, politics, and random links all over the place. sorry.
irish – drop me an email.
August 4th, 2008 at 10:54 am
TBL..I totally agree this is your domain..but seriously another one? What more can we learn? The designer of the dress? What Mike Nadal was wearing? Did Erin really saunter or did she sashay? Get the shovel out..this one is dead..
August 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Deadspin
August 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Is Irish getting called to the Principles office? Or could it be the long awaited Irish post? Stay tuned to TBL.
/I like posing inane questions
August 4th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Patience, friend.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Oh goody, irish in a sundress!!!1!
/Strahan
August 4th, 2008 at 11:08 am
The interview with the woman from Milwaukee was great. She articulated her point very well.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:08 am
“Cover” is whatever your job is. If your job is to write about the game, then when you are at the ballpark you are at work, so apparently (news to me) you should be wearing a suit. Because apparently you can only be taken seriously and considered a professional if you are dressed for an interview, not for a day game when it’s 100 outside.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:08 am
TBL, you essentially said EA isn’t a journalist, but then you go on to say you cover the “media.” Which is fine, but why? If you don’t respect the job she does or the field of sideline reporting as a whole, then why put stock in this storyline? Do you think there’s a larger point to be made here? Do you think there’s some growing trend here in the media that needs to be accounted for? I’m genuinely confused.
These types of posts and the drumbeat of party pics posts just don’t fit in with this site (IMO). They’re a big turnoff to me (first time EA and turnoff have ever been mentioned that closely). I can understand movies and pop culture, but it seems you’re forcing the issue – and now you’re falling over yourself to over-justify. There are so many threads on here where you’re nowhere to be found in the comment section even when you’re called out (Kobe/LeBron stories), but here, you’re al over it. Why is this one so touchy to you?
August 4th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Coop – Please remember to compare EA to her TV folk. I see most sideline reporters/on camera guys in either suits or polo shirts. I don’t often see many in shorts (but i have seen khaki and chinos), but perhaps you have.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Taking another look at that dress, it is pretty short for any work environment that I have ever been involved in.
Look, guys are animals. We could be sitting on the couch, about to take a nap, watching some show like “How do they build it?” on TLC and a commercial will come on with a chick in a bikini and we will instantly check our watch and see if we can squeeze in a quick 7 minute jerk….we go from 0-80 in a second. That dress will do it to us.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:13 am
solid questions.
journalist: i suppose you are right – based on the definition, she is a journalist because she gathers info at the ballpark. I feel as if some bloggers who gather information from sources and post it, fall under this large umbrella as well.
never said i didn’t respect her. i am, however, of the opinion that it may be difficult for players to take her seriously when she is taking camera phone photos with player in the dugout or hugging outfielders or having a manager ask her in front of everyone if it’s a fashion show.
media accounted for? Sure. political blogs do it to the political media, and i dont see a problem with sports blogs doing it to the sports media.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:19 am
TBL, I see your point, but isn’t that splitting hairs? As a writer you represent that paper, so just because you won’t be on TV that doesn’t mean you should show up to work looking like a disorganized slob.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:21 am
most comments so far today are on a post about EA. I think that in itself is an indicator as to why TBL keeps bringing it up. Each post since the original story came out has had over 65 comments(not counting Imigs weekend post). This is a blog right? A blog that has always covered more than just sports itself, right? Any excuse to get an EA pic is fine by me as well. Like any of us actually listen to her when she is on camera.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Burn!
August 4th, 2008 at 11:24 am
Could it be that the dress wasn’t the problem but the place where she wore it into?
A locker room is still a place of unabashed male immaturity. The likelihood of EA getting ogled in a pants suit and jacket are still high, but the dress may have made it obvious to everyone.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:25 am
the media posts rarely get comments. ditto for interviews. will continue to do them. this blog has never been, nor will it ever be, ‘comment driven.’i enjoy them and i enjoy the banter but i dont do posts hoping for comments.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:28 am
not ever a hint of knowing that people will get a lil testy about it? come on….
August 4th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Correction: Phil Mickelson has a bigger rack.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:32 am
In the spirit of full disclosure, I wear a suit to work, but that’s what my valet company requires.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:32 am
TBL, you seriously never put a post together thinking, ‘people are gonna talk about this,’ as motivation?
of course i like getting people riled up, so i would do that.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:37 am
No woman, ever, in the history of the universe, has been “one of the guys.”
Guys see women and think either, “I want to sleep with her,” “I want to sleep with her, but someone will kill me,” or “my eyes are burning!”
August 4th, 2008 at 11:43 am
@xv43
Chris Rock had a take on this matter.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I love the fact that she is trying to play the ignorant card (I can dress how I want because everyone thinks of me as a daughter/sister/tomboy). That’s bs. She knows EXACTLY what she’s doing when she wears something like that, but doesn’t like it when her unprofessionalism is called out.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:55 am
TBL:
Keep rockin the variety. Don’t change a thing. Best blog in da world!
Big Nuts resolution, clearly not supported by those Major League Jerks or Irishmafia.
August 4th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Obviously, because if you listened to us you would have CRM pick every Round up pic..not just his…
August 4th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Big Nuts…I have to say…you have managed to have the MLJ crew and Irishmafia hate you…quite the accomplishment…It is like being hated by the US and Soviet Union during the Cold War
August 4th, 2008 at 11:57 am
I wish, wish, and pray that Irishmafia starts a blog. Would love to be a commenter on there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 4th, 2008 at 11:59 am
those damn jerks…
August 4th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Big Nuts has a Raj fathead in his bedroom.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Remind me again – who won the 2008 Culture Tournament? ’nuff said.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
LOL!
August 4th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
that may be the biggest pile of shit i’ve ever read.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I think Trenni Kusnierek had some very candid and honest remarks about this whole situation, and she didn’t come off as being jealous or bitchy about it. I like Erin Andrews, but her little naive act about how she dresses at times is getting a little tired now.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
Not that I care what people wear, but just what is “dressing the part?”
August 4th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
There are too many fat, ugly men working in sports media. Let EA wear what she wants for Pete’s sake! What is the advantage to her not being dressed a little inappropriately? I still don’t understand what Nadel is beotching about.
If there had been more of her when I was in sports media, I may have stayed.
August 4th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
question: you’re conducting an interview for a job position. one woman shows up in a suit. the other shows up in a sun dress. Whom do you take more seriously? this is obviously not to say that women in sun dresses cannot be taken seriously, but consider the task.
TBL: How many interviewees are going to be there for 6 hrs, more then half of it spend outside in temps of 90+? I believe your point is well enough made without a misleading comparison, such as above.