ESPN suspended radio host Max Kellerman after he confessed to slapping his girlfriend-at-the-time many years ago, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
“Max Kellerman will return to ESPNLA Radio and SportsNation on Thursday,” ESPN told the Hollywood Reporter.
iMediaEthics hasn’t seen any direct transcript for what Kellerman said on air August 4. It is reported that he said he slapped his girlfriend after she slapped him when they were drinking, the New York Daily News reported. Kellerman said he is now married to her.
According to the Daily News, the radio program was discussing NFL Baltimore Ravens player Ray Rice, who was suspended last month from two games after he was accused of attacking his then-girlfriend, now wife in February.
The podcast of Kellerman’s comments on the show is no longer online, Deadspin reported. He made the comments on the program ESPN-LA’s “Mason & Ireland.”
The Daily News cited anonymous “industry sources” saying Kellerman wasn’t in trouble for what he had said per se but rather for commenting on domestic violence in the context of Rice’s suspension.
“Industry sources said while the content of his story was disturbing, the suspension was all about Kellerman, who once worked for ESPN New York Radio, not adhering to ESPN brass’ warning concerning the Rice topic being a highly sensitive one,” the Daily News reported.
iMediaEthics has asked ESPN for confirmation of the suspension and for comment on the Daily News’ sources’s comments.
Earlier this week, ESPN suspended TV and radio host Dan Le Batard after he rented a billboard saying “You’re Welcome, LeBron, Love Miami” with a picture of two NBA championship rings. The message was directed toward LeBron James’ announcement in Sports Illustrated saying he was leaving the Miami Heat for the Cleveland Cavaliers without thanking Miami or its fans.
Last month, Stephen Smith was suspended from ESPN for a week after he commented extensively on air about domestic abuse to suggest that women “provoke” abuse.
UPDATE: 8/9/2014 11:10 PM EST An ESPN spokesperson told iMediaEthics by e-mail: “Max Kellerman will return to ESPNLA Radio and SportsNation on Thursday.”