Okay, first of all, let me start by saying: “WOW! What a jerk.” Now that I got that off my chest, if you’re not sure why I’m saying it, you’ll definitely want to check out today’s video.
Tony Kornheiser was suspended from ESPN for two weeks after comments he made about Hannah Storm’s outfit, body and age on his radio show. Not only did he note that her skirt was way too short for a woman over forty, but the go-go boots were completely wrong, and her shirt was so tight her upper-body looked like a stuffed sausage casing.
ESPN took immediate action, suspending Kornheiser, but is two weeks enough? His comments were not only inappropriate, but unprofessional, and have definitely put his credibility on the line. Even if there are people who agree, didn’t Kornheiser’s mother ever teach him not to say anything at all if he didn’t have something nice to say?
On Tuesday, Kornheiser made a statement, noting that with a microphone in front of someone on a regular basis, chances are they will eventually say something wrong. How’s that for an apology? Not good enough, as far as I’m concerned. Reports claim he did make an apology on Tuesday, and he also called Storm to apologize, but I think he should make a public statement, Tiger Woods style. I guess calling someone’s outfit horrifying is probably not as bad as cheating on your spouse, so I doubt there will be a public apology press conference.
Comments
pdu
February 24th, 2010 - 1:37:34 PM
You can tell a chick wrote this article. That is the problem, women reporting on men's sports wearing an outfit from an Austin Powers movie.
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splurky mcgurky
February 24th, 2010 - 2:42:09 PM
Kornheiser spoke the truth. Since she started at ESPN, Hannah Storm's outfits have gotten increasingly more tight, inappropriate and ridiculous. She should be suspended, not TK.
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Michael Arcand
February 24th, 2010 - 3:46:22 PM
You could tell a woman wrote the article if you read the byline. As for Kornheiser speaking the truth ... really? She looks great in her 50s! What is he, jealous? Get real. Did you even watch the Young Turks clip embedded here? Kornheiser stuck his foot in his mouth and deserves a suspension. Two weeks? Probably not enough.
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Jennifer Hudock
February 24th, 2010 - 5:12:05 PM
It wouldn't matter if she was broadcasting sports or selling Mary Kay make-up out of a pink car. What he said was insulting, and I'm offended as a person, not a chick.
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Scott Roche
February 24th, 2010 - 5:30:39 PM
Okay, so you're offended that a person known for sarcasm and for offending people at the drop of a hat said something offensive and insulting (and pretty close to the truth, if insensitive)? Seems a bit silly to me. It sounds like he's doing the job he was hired to do. Much like Stern and his ilk, Kornheiser was simply doing what broadcasters hire them to do. He'll probably take this like a vacation and be back doing his thing. If it didn't sell, THEN they'd fire him.
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Acadia
February 24th, 2010 - 6:11:22 PM
Who gave little bald pussies in bad clothes and Tony Kornheiser jobs on ESPN in the first place? They don't know anything about sports.
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Anonymous
February 24th, 2010 - 7:14:19 PM
did he say it on ESPN radio? if not this suspension is crap..
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Anonymous
February 24th, 2010 - 7:17:55 PM
Kornheiser is the MAN!! that outfit wasnt even that bad and that skirt wasnt too short.. but i dont care what he says cause hes awesome
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Michael Hawk
February 25th, 2010 - 9:57:11 AM
I think the real problem here is not Hannah Storm who looks fantastic, or Kornheiser who is merely going along with the sensationalized screaming atmosphere all over sports talk these days where they do pretty much everything except talk about sports, it is the fact that media outlets like ESPN support a culture where Storm is made to feel like she has to dress in mini skirts in order to retain the attention of the male audience. Hannah Storm knows her job and yet no doubt she feels pressured to fill a stereotype. That was a good video by the way Jennifer, I hope the people commenting here are watching the whole thing because those two sum it up quite well.
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Jennifer Hudock
February 25th, 2010 - 12:12:21 PM
Micheal, you make some really excellent points. Thank you for sharing your point of view. I'm grateful for everyone sharing their point of view, even those who think I'm silly and girlie for being offended. Personally, I am tired of the stereotypes, the lack of compassion in the media for people no matter what sex they are, but it's a double edged sword. Exposing oneself to the public as a performer or broadcaster is just asking for criticism from others in the business, and the general public. On the other hand, it saddens me that cruelty as a form of entertainment hasn't evolved since the gladiator days when we threw people to the lions for fun.
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