ESPN's Kornheiser Suspended for Trashing Hannah Storm

Hannah Storm's attire (left) came under fire from the sartorially adept Tony Kornheiser (right).

ESPN blabbermouth Tony Kornheiser has talked himself into a two week suspension after derisively mocking colleague Hannah Storm's ensemble. Kornheiser, the host of "Pardon the Interruption," tore into Storm on his radio show last week, scornfully picking apart Storm's fashion sense with all the devastating ruthlessness of a gum-snapping teenage cheerleader. Storm, the SportsCenter anchor, had sported a red V-neck sweater, a short tartan skirt and red stiletto boots that morning. To be fair, it was a lot of red, and Kornheiser charged at her like an enraged bull:

[It was] a horrifying, horrifying outfit. 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. She's got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body... I know she's very good, and I'm not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won't. But Hannah Storm, come on now! Stop! What are you doing?... She's what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point.

Fashion tips and a Salinger reference on ESPN? Oh Kornheiser, behave! Many found his critique weird and misogynistic and ageist, and on Friday Kornheiser told listeners he called Storm to apologize, and she "cordially" accepted his mea culpa. He also apologized on air, admitting he is "a sarcastic, subversive guy... I'm a troll; look at me. I have no right to insult what anyone else looks like, what anyone else wears." But he also mentioned that Storm agreed she should probably retire the red boots, and a source tells Deadspin that ESPN's brass requested that she not wear those boots ever again.

But saying sorry didn't make it go away, and John Skipper, ESPN executive vice president for Conten, announced yesterday, "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."

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on February 24, 2010 9:30 AM

Comments [rss]

aveB4life

i'd hit.

She's def better than Linda Cohn

NannyState

Does this mean he won't be taping her next shower in a hotel room?

whitecastlerock

He's an ugly, bald loudmouth. He should be mocked for his fear of flying and his shitty commentary...

JMH

To be fair to TK, that is a pretty horrid outfit she's wearing. Still, tactless.

Trilby16

Why is the old dude dressed as a pilgrim? He doesn't get mocked for that?

Sorry if the answer is in the "story." I can't make myself more than lightly skim it. I could not make myself watch ESPN if I was tied to a chair and my eyelids taped open.

Maybe with black boots...?

lucy van pelt

Yah...I think that's Gothamist way of subliminally saying how puritanical Kornheiser's statements were...(but I don't think it's working. the guy just looks like a pilgrim)

theevilone

That outfit is hideous. She should be publicly mocked for wearing it.

Willie Nillie

I would lick all o' dat

Kharris

The truth hurts. He could have been a little more tactful, but someone had to say something. She clearly has no fashion sense and obviously, her peers were not going to stop her from embarrassing herself, so maybe this was a wake up call for her. What she is wearing could pass for a Halloween costume and nothing more. She is a decent looking woman, she just needs some major help dressing herself. A two week suspension was a little overkill. I think the public apology should suffice. I really can't believe that anyone let her go on camera dressed that way. Tacky isn't the new sexy.

JenChungsBaby

Her bosses at ESPN probably encourage her to wear stuff like that.

JenChungsBaby

If he just avoided the part about sausage casings and tight sweaters he might have been OK.

RevWaldo

Someone obviously has never read her Cynthia Heimel (2 minute read - worth it.) - "'I am a symphony of reds,' I sang to myself as I left the house. Luckily a security guard stopped me on the way to the meeting..."

dirty hipster

I'd tap that

Joan Angelson

I love her outfit! What is she like 14 years old!

NannyState

From the waist down, she's like a Roppongi girl, from the waist up, it's Grandma.

Scott M

TK is a Style section guy also, not just Sports. During a Deion Sanders press conference where Deion wore a flashy suit, TK asked where he got the suit and other fashion questions. Sanders asked who he was and TK happily replied "TK, Washington Post Style Section!"

BTW - Comments about your clothes aren't really personal comments. He basically said her outfit stinks but she is very good. Whatever. PTI is still ESPN's highest rated show.

schadenfreudian mensch

I thought 62 year old men like Kornheiser love middle aged women dressing up as 14 year old in Catholic High School girl uniforms. My bad. A Style section guy and not liking women in school girl uniform, he must be closeted gay.