ESPN Muzzles it's on air talent and refuses to allow them to speak on Hong Kong

[spikeslovechild]

https://deadspin.com/internal-memo-espn-forbids-discussion-of-chinese-polit-1838881032

This could be because Chuck Salituro, the senior news director of ESPN, sent a memo to shows mandating that any discussion of the Daryl Morey story avoid any political discussions about China and Hong Kong, and instead focus on the related basketball issues. The memo, obtained by Deadspin, explicitly discouraged any political discussion about China and Hong Kong. Multiple ESPN sources confirmed to Deadspin that network higher-ups were keeping a close eye on how the topic was discussed on ESPN’s airwaves.

ESPN first kicked off coverage of the Morey tweet Monday morning with SportsCenter doing a quick news hit on the topic. The segment steered clear of any political discussions, but notably called the protestors in Hong Kong “anti-government” protestors. Then, Mike Golic Jr. and Trey Wingo took up the discussion on their show, focusing mostly on how the story would have been different if James Harden or another star player had said what Morey said. Next, Stephen A. Smith went on the radio and delivered this gem. Highly Questionable featured a discussion with sportswriters Frank Isola and Israel Gutierrez that recapped the situation and wondered whether China would be placated by the league’s efforts at smoothing over the relationship

[azcatz11]

This is nothing new and nothing surprising. This has been their stance for over a year now (maybe 2) ESPN refuses to get into politics and alienate 50% of the population

[spikeslovechild]

This is nothing new and nothing surprising. This has been their stance for over a year now (maybe 2) ESPN refuses to get into politics and alienate 50% of the population

Which side of the aisle is pro-china? This is all about their global brand not politics.

[GusT15]

This* is exactly what the TV Station Owner/Director did in Edtv (1999),cause he had a small,malfunctioning d**k.

*(The censoring part-not the HK part)

[Sofia]

Not mad. Sports channel focuses on sport.

[clyde21]

This is nothing new and nothing surprising. This has been their stance for over a year now (maybe 2) ESPN refuses to get into politics and alienate 50% of the population

wait, ESPN refuses to get into politics? since when? lol

[Pennebaker]

The Chinese know something about Americans, and it's our main weakness as a people. Money talks.

You want to motivate capitalists to do something you want? Threaten their bottom line.

[clyde21]

The Chinese know something about Americans, and it's our main weakness as a people. Money talks.

You want to motivate capitalists to do something you want? Threaten their bottom line.

that's what happens when greed/capitalism is running rampant, morality starts taking a back seat to the bottom line.

[SkyHook]

Stephen A. Smith lecturing anyone about anything is ridiculous.

[azcatz11]

This is nothing new and nothing surprising. This has been their stance for over a year now (maybe 2) ESPN refuses to get into politics and alienate 50% of the population

wait, ESPN refuses to get into politics? since when? lol

They've issued memo's internally since the new prez took over. The only reason why I know this is because I listen to sports media pods and it's been discussed a lot. The issue is when their main talents talk politics it puts them in a bind...aka Le Batard

Their policy now is not to talk politics

[DetroitPistons]

Awesome! Thank the Lord! Focus on sports, not politics.

Also, I hope no one is going to criticize ESPN for this. If most of us went around work talking about political issues that cost our company millions of dollars we would all be canned. I hope all sports media does the same and finds more appropriate ways to protest if they want without alienated people and compromising the fan base and league itself.

[azcatz11]

This is nothing new and nothing surprising. This has been their stance for over a year now (maybe 2) ESPN refuses to get into politics and alienate 50% of the population

Which side of the aisle is pro-china? This is all about their global brand not politics.

Same diff - I agree. Don't get involved in anything controversial

[DetroitPistons]

The Chinese know something about Americans, and it's our main weakness as a people. Money talks.

You want to motivate capitalists to do something you want? Threaten their bottom line.

that's what happens when greed/capitalism is running rampant, morality starts taking a back seat to the bottom line.

Yeah, all you have to do is look at how morally bankrupt the great capitalist nation of China is... Oh wait...

[clyde21]

This is nothing new and nothing surprising. This has been their stance for over a year now (maybe 2) ESPN refuses to get into politics and alienate 50% of the population

Which side of the aisle is pro-china? This is all about their global brand not politics.

Same diff - I agree. Don't get involved in anything controversial

i wonder if this would be the sentiment if it were Jews being thrown in concentration camps in Xinjiang and not Muslims, but I digress

[dautjazz]

I know some full is going blow a tantrum, but Disney has 231.42 billion market capital, with their brand all over China with theme parks, TV, movies, etc. Considering China's GDP is over 15% of the World's GDP and growing, you better believe they are going to stay neutral.

[Samurai]

Awesome! Thank the Lord! Focus on sports, not politics.

Also, I hope no one is going to criticize ESPN for this. If most of us went around work talking about political issues that cost our company millions of dollars we would all be canned. I hope all sports media does the same and finds more appropriate ways to protest if they want without alienated people and compromising the fan base and league itself.

Finally some good news! And I don't want to hear a bunch of senators or presidential candidates arguing about whether the Lakers or Clippers will have the better record or offering their "deep" analysis on who runs the PnR the best either!

[NoDopeOnSundays]

They're owned by Disney and the Mouse doesn't let anything get in the way of profits.

[dockingsched]

before criticizing ESPN, i gotta assume this is way above the pay grade of ESPN's head. Gotta look straight at Disney.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

ESPN refuses to get into politics

Whaaat? 0_o

[Cavsfansince84]

This is nothing new and nothing surprising. This has been their stance for over a year now (maybe 2) ESPN refuses to get into politics and alienate 50% of the population

This is slightly different in that its not your typical left/right sort of American political issue. Its them trying to tip toe around pissing off the Chinese gov't which is extremely sensitive to any sort of criticism and especially when it comes to HK or Taiwan.