(Thumbnail Image: UK News Today)
"Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today. She's got on red go-go boots and a catholic school plaid skirt way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now. And she's got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she’s got sausage casing wrapping around her upper body."
(MSNBC)
Tony Kornheiser is known for his cutting remarks about figures in the sports world, but the popular ESPN Pardon the Interruption co-host and radio personality is now facing a two-week suspension for comments about a fellow ESPN colleague Hannah Storm.
We are looking at perspectives from Fox News, ESPN, Slate, and others.
On her blog, former CNN Sports reporter Daryn Kagan points out the double standard Kornheiser's comments fall into.
"I promise you ESPN would not have suspended Kornheiser if he made a comment about John Kruk's weight or if he thought Mike Golic wore an ugly shirt. Besides, Tony is hired to do opinion. That's his job!"
FOX News' Red Eye also argues this double standard affects Storm just as much as Kornheiser.
"This is the problem between men and women, guys crap on each other, we make fun of each other..."
"That is true."
"You attack Bill every show, every show he attacks you. That's like our mentality, yet he attacks a co-worker, and he was obviously kidding, and suddenly its a problem and its sexual harassment and, its like, that just makes women look weak like they don't know how to have fun."
The blog Philly2Philly.com compares Kornheiser to Howard Stern and says this incident is just a case of over the top comments finally catching up to him.
"Hannah Storm may dress provocatively for a journalist, but the bottom line is she's among the most well respected names in the business and deserves more respect than this. Kornheiser should be suspended for what he said because it's sexist, unprofessional, and low-rent."
Though ESPN has not made a statement about Storm's wardrobe choice Executive Vice President John Skipper did issue a statement reflecting the network’s views on Kornheiser's statement.
"Tony Kornheiser's comments about Hannah Storm were entirely inappropriate. Hurtful and personal comments such as these are not acceptable and have significant consequences. Tony has been suspended from PTI for two weeks. Hannah is a respected colleague who has been an integral part of the success of our morning SportsCenter."
Back Porch Fanhouse says this statement shows ESPN is trying to be extra sensitive to anything perceived as sexual harassment.
"ESPN wanted to send a message that it takes such things seriously, and not even one of the network's biggest stars is above the rules."
But according to Slate, despite actions taken against Kornheiser, ESPN executives are not entirely sincere.
"Much—but not all—of sports radio relies on frat-boy humor to carry the freight between serious discussions about teams, games, and players. But they won't fire him, because they aren't actually upset. The ESPN brass is punishing Kornheiser for being Kornheiser when they should be punishing themselves for running their network like a high school locker room."
So is the Kornheiser suspension an overreaction? Does Kornhesier have the right to comment on Storm's wardrobe?
Writer: Amanda Klohmann
Producer: Adam Falk
