ESPN Bans Post Reporters Over Erin Andrews Screengrabs

ESPN is playing hardball with the NY Post and has banned the newspaper's reporters from appearing on ESPN channels or radio station because the tabloid published screengrabs of a videotape showing ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews naked in a hotel room. ESPN's VP of communications Chris LaPlaca explained, "Erin was grievously wronged here, and while we understand the Post's decision to cover this as a news story, their running photos obtained in such a fashion went well beyond the boundaries of common decency in the interest of sensationalism. This is not a decision we undertook lightly, but we feel it is an appropriate one." And according to TMZ's expert opinion—after reviewing "six videos shot by the Peeping Tom who secretly videotaped Erin Andrews [as she] walked around naked, not having a clue she was being watched"—the gossip site believes, "The videos raise the suspicion that the person who shot them may have been familiar with her work schedule and may have been traveling with her. Erin's people are on the hunt for the culprit," and adds, "We will not post this video, because it is a clear invasion of privacy."

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By Jen Chung in News on July 23, 2009 11:27 AM

Comments [rss]

Steven

Hypocritical of TMZ to not post the video.

Guest

Not really. TMZ is run by a lawyer, so he knows how to avoid blatant lawsuits.

nomnomnom

With that body, she should put those clips in her reel. She has nothing to be ashamed of! Unless those boobs are fake. Then she might have some 'splainin' to do.

Spirit of 76

Most women don't mind being looked at, but nobody likes being leered at.

This woman was victimized twice, first by the perv who took the video, then by the Post.

NannyState

If Andrews did more reporting in the nude, ESPN's ratings would soar. Classic case of fear of success.

yytttt

The Post should not be called a newspaper and a tabloid in the same sentence. Tabloid is sufficient. How about this for a new slogan: "The New York Post: Shittier Than Toilet Paper"?

Dirk

What do you expect from the Post? They're scumbags.

whitecastlerock

ESPN isn't much better than the NY Post. They continually scrape the bottom of the barrel. They will hire the lowest of the low. They will show ANYTHING to garner ratings. I wouldn't be surprised if this peeping tom wasn't one of ESPN's own. What the Post did is tabloid journalism at its worst-but ESPN needs to can the holier than thou approach. Banning NY Post reporters is pretty weak. I can't wait to read Phil Mushnick's take on this...

PTG in nyc

Agreed whitecastlerock, ESPN is pretty much just a gossip rag after all.

I also love how TMZ finds it inappropriate to publish the video. Read between the lines, TMZ really means "we are scared of ESPN's lawyers."

Politburo

Wow. I heard on the radio that there were grabs, but I didn't except the Post to go that low (mea culpa, I know).

Spirit of 76

Really? My belief is that the Post doesn't know the meaning of the words, "limits" or "propriety." You watch. They'll go even lower. Just give them time.