Where’s the ESPN Ombud on the Steve Phillips Saga?
1-liner, ESPN, Media Gossip/Musings October 28th. 2009, 11:45amESPN: Initially we gave new ESPN ombudsman Don Ohlmeyer a pass on the Steve Phillips story. Ohlmeyer’s most recent column came out the day the story broke, so we figured he’d need a few days to form a strong opinion (and clear it by the necessary sensors). But he’s now had a week to collect his thoughts on ESPN’s frat-house culture. Surely he’s seen this kind of thing in his many years of television. Hey Don Ohlmeyer, how much longer are we going to have to wait? [NSJC via Romenesko]
47 Responses to “Where’s the ESPN Ombud on the Steve Phillips Saga?”
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October 28th, 2009 at 11:48 AM
until everyone forgets about it and the only ones that are still talking about it, and reading the ombudsman page, are blogs.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:49 AM
Hey Don Ohlmeyer, how much longer are we going to have to wait?
probably as long as we’ll need to wait for you to comment on Salisbury again. You know there’s probably going to be some legal action on someone’s part on this, so the lawyers are probably going to demand no comments due to “potential or impending litigation”
October 28th, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Predictably, I used to look forward the the LeAnne Schreiber columns. Now that Ohlmeyer’s in the position, I could care less, and I didn’t even realize that it was time for a new column.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:50 AM
good point phillips or big ol brookey may bring a suit for wrongful termination or some shit
October 28th, 2009 at 11:52 AM
I have a feeling the hats at the WWL are breathing a sigh of relief that she isn’t there for this one. She would have ripped them a new one with her usual class and dignity.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Is this story relevant beyond its comedic value?
October 28th, 2009 at 11:53 AM
fair enough. Though … I’m the owner/operator of this and ultimately take all the heat … the ombud’s reaction can’t/won’t affect that court case at all.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
in my eyes it completely voids the position of the ombudsman if ESPN legal tells them to wait.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
It would be extremely careless of Ohlmeyer to address this matter…litigation is an absolute certainty. TBL, surely you realize this.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
on-air talent on one of ESPN’s most popular shows getting fired for porking a lower-rung worker? why not? don’t you think there are other TV guys who have nailed lower-level talent and are terrified about getting fired/exposed?
October 28th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
I thought the ombudsman’s purpose was to investigate and report on complaints about the product ESPN put out. Not sure what this HR issue has to do with his job.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
excerpt from Ohlmeyers article on the fraternity atmosphere at ESPN:
/what is he gonna say that hasnt been said already? his job isnt to criticize what is going on behind the scenes but on the product espn is putting out.
October 28th, 2009 at 11:56 AM
i wish espn would just admit that they dont give a shit about anyones opinion and not have an ombudsman
October 28th, 2009 at 11:58 AM
tj:
Saints lose Monday. Book it.
/end tj
October 28th, 2009 at 11:59 AM
Wilhelm…there is a bevy of case law where ombudsman have played a major role in liability or lack there of; ESPN simply cannot allow any ”editorial” discussion on the matter.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:00 PM
atlanta will play desperate
October 28th, 2009 at 12:01 PM
Wilhelm…there is a bevy of case law where ombudsman have played a major role in liability or lack there of; ESPN simply cannot allow any ”editorial” discussion on the matter.
thx Jay V. I know (think?) you’re a lawyer. I just married one (and stay at Holiday Inn Express). Exactly what I thought.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:02 PM
@clown…you are exactly right.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Is this story relevant beyond its comedic value?
on-air talent on one of ESPN’s most popular shows getting fired for porking a lower-rung worker? why not? don’t you think there are other TV guys who have nailed lower-level talent and are terrified about getting fired/exposed?
Is anyone surprised though? This is the culture that’s been established at ESPN. The Reynolds and Salisbury revelations showed that.
And the likelihood of this stopping the frat house culture at the WWL is low.
This is salacious, but ultimately unimportant.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
Sensors? Really? Don’t you mean “censors?”
October 28th, 2009 at 12:03 PM
@Jay V: then that sucks.
thanks for the education, i did not know that.
/still think espn would get what it would probably deserve for the frat house atmosphere around the bristol campus w/o the ombudsman commenting on it.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:04 PM
Not enough Vader Fist Pump…
October 28th, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Amyone ever had their appendix removed?
October 28th, 2009 at 12:07 PM
as in you recently married one or you merely married one? either way, from one sugar-momma chaser to another, congrats.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:08 PM
tbl wants espn put on double secret probation. Ohlmeyer = marmalard
October 28th, 2009 at 12:09 PM
<—– Vader Fist Pump!
/Fuck Yeah
October 28th, 2009 at 12:09 PM
I just married one
as in you recently married one or you merely married one? either way, from one sugar-momma chaser to another, congrats.
miz: as in merely. My marraige is older than some bloggers here, surprisingly (and true)
October 28th, 2009 at 12:10 PM
Why would the Ombudsman comment on an off the air HR issue?
October 28th, 2009 at 12:11 PM
I hope Mark Schlereth is fucking some fat, ugly PA too, and the story breaks before the end of the NFL season.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:12 PM
I hope Mark Schlereth is fucking some fat, ugly PA too, and the story breaks before the end of the NFL season.
how about if it’s just Wingo?
October 28th, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Breaking News: Jeter tests positive for HGH
October 28th, 2009 at 12:13 PM
You mean other than himself?
This
October 28th, 2009 at 12:13 PM
that’s so wrong, 412
October 28th, 2009 at 12:14 PM
sportsgal, you’ve been really angry lately. what gives?
October 28th, 2009 at 12:15 PM
I stood her up. My bad fellas.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:16 PM
awe shit
October 28th, 2009 at 12:17 PM
I recall being angry about Whitlock’s “hilarious” tongue in cheek column, but other than that I haven’t been angry. Calling out the Big 10 for being overrated is “angry?”
October 28th, 2009 at 12:17 PM
Female Brad Clooney in the house.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:18 PM
come on, if it was Schlereth he’d only go for the fat, ugly Production Assistants. no abbreviations with this former offensive linemen of the national football league, people.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:18 PM
that’s Angelina Blakely to you
/while you were on sabbatical
October 28th, 2009 at 12:19 PM
i wonder if brook would go for jaws..
October 28th, 2009 at 12:19 PM
that’s Angelina
BlakelyLively to you/while you were on sabbatical
October 28th, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Maybe HR is not the matter. The legal issue could be tricky, but doubtful unless someone is lying because gawk claimed to have asked espn for comment on certain matters. espn does not answering inquires correctly or responsibly is a matter for espn when it relates directly to the product they are putting out.
October 28th, 2009 at 12:29 PM
Lately?
October 28th, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Well, I rarely if ever commented on this site during the summer so that could explain the “lately.”
October 28th, 2009 at 1:03 PM
Question: is he obligated to talk about this at all? Perhaps if Phillips hadn’t been fired, but he was. Is he supposed to wax philosophic for 3,000 words of the meaning of sexual interaction in the office today and how that intersects with the personalities at ESPN?
If he writes about Phillips, then great, good for him. But if he doesn’t, I don’t feel like we’re leaving any stones unturned at this point.
October 28th, 2009 at 4:03 PM
maybe he could discuss the various sexual harassment cases over the years (starting with tirico) and how the importance of the on-air talent often affected the punishment.