Ryan Glasspiegel
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Adrian Wojnarowski has been suspended by ESPN for sending “fuck you” in response to an email from Missouri senator Josh Hawley about the NBA and China, sources tell Outkick. At press time, we were unable to determine the length of the suspension for the NBA insider as it’s being held close to the vest.
After sending the email, Wojnarowski wrote the following apology:
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 10, 2020
ESPN issued the following statement: “This is completely unacceptable behavior and we do not condone it. It is inexcusable for anyone working for ESPN to respond in the way Adrian did to Senator Hawley. We are addressing it directly with Adrian and specifics of those conversations will remain internal.”
One ironic part of this story is that Wojnarowski lost a lot of money in China when he liked Daryl Morey’s tweet in support of Hong Kong protestors. He was attacked by bots, even received some death threats, and lost the show “Woj in the house” that was watched there by a lot of people. However, it was clear from his two word answer that he did not appreciate receiving the answer from Senator Hawley.
An ESPN spokesperson declined to comment and a rep for Wojnarowski could not immediately be reached for comment.
I will give MSESPN a little props here. If we are going to throw darts at them when they act insane, we need to give them a thumbs up when they do right, however rare it may be.
No props.
Would it have taken 48 hours to suspend him if he had sent the same response to Chuck Schumer?
Would it have taken 48 hours if he sent the same response to Gavin Newsome?
And what about the throng of his ESPN coworkers who say he had nothing to apologize for? Will they be reprimanded for defending him for something ESPN now feels is “suspendable”?
No props.
“Suspended” is not the same as “fired.” A conservative would have been fired for the same transgression.
I’m surprised to hear that he was in favor of Morey’s pro-Hong Kong message. Why would he respond the way he did to Senator Hawley, then? How does he not realize how legitimate the questions Hawley raised are?
I can think of three reasons
1: (More likely): Woj is that pissed over losing his China show.
2: (Possibly): Something else is happening in his personal life that made him snap
3: (Tinfoil hat): He sent that intentionally to drive more exposure to Adam Silver having to respond to this issue. Maybe he has enough clout to think he wouldn’t get fired for simply saying “F You” in an email to a Senator. Maybe he hates ESPN and is willing to get fired?
The only reason I think #3 is possible is because sending “F You” in an email to a government official requires an extreme level of ignorance and/or anger. Woj seems like a reasonably intelligent man. This is unthinkable from someone in his position with his experience.
This Disney partnership with China and the NBA will end badly for all 3 parties.
The NBA is a Circus act to the Chinese.
Disney censors their own movies and content for Chinese consumption.
And China’s Government is a ruthless adversary.
Wrong side of history EsPnMScnn.
Not to pile on, but someone should examine Yao Ming playing days from his Houston Rockets days.
His multi million dollar salary was paid to the Chinese Government and they kept an eye on him so he wouldn’t defect. The NBA cooperated, so they could stay in the Chinese market. To this day.
SO, The NBA helped a foreign government control and hold on to one of their citizens. Sounds a lot like slavery. Free Hong Kong ??
Suspension is often a deflecting tactic. Once the heat is off (maybe just a couple of days), the suspension is quietly lifted and the pay loss is restored (one way or another). So let’s hold the accolades for ESPN until this plays out.
BTW, a “free WOJ” movement has already started. NBA players and ESPN employees seem blind to the facts: that a prominent US senator (Stanford, Yale Law credentials) has pointed out a legitimate concern about NBA political bias. Rather than intelligently articulating their counter arguments, they blindly hurl insults at a respected senator and support a horrible, profane act by one of their boys.
if anyone believes that if a conservative would have only been suspended is just a low IQ person or just plain stupid.
Too little too late by ESPN. Only acted after 48 hours when seeing outrage. And the action woefully weak with undisclosed lengrh of suspension – 1 day? 1 week? And no condemnation of other ESPN people who defended Woj response? ESPN licks China’ boots – pathetic.
No props.
Suspension…wink, wink.
BIGGGGGGGGG double standard.
Amazing…the hypocrisy of the NBA is stunning. Having worked with top players like NCAA players and an NBA MVP, this issue with BLM and China is so racist. “We are tired of all the white racists in the US so we want to shut up and dribble for Chinese Racists and celebrate that ‘Asian Plantation’ opportunity.
Great job Clay, challenging this situation. Finally a voice for truth, justice, objectivity and direction. Dr. Greg