Yesterday, ESPN nixed an interview with presidential candidate Barack Obama. The interview was to take place with Bill Simmons, ESPN.com's most popular columnist, for his weekly podcast. It was the second time in recent weeks that ESPN has canceled an interview with Obama. The sports and politics blogosphere is abuzz with conspiracy theories, mainly pertaining to the fact that ESPN President George Bodenheimer donated $1,000 to the McCain campaign.
ESPN defends its action, saying they're waiting until the Final Two are set. Says the network's spokesman, Josh Krulewitz:
It's absolutely not an issue about any one candidate. Our position is that when they're down to the final two candidates, we'll look for options to interview each accordingly. Fans don't expect political coverage on our air.
We kind of understand the decision by ESPN brass to forbid Kenny Mayne from yelling "Obama!" during basketball highlights; keeping up appearances of neutrality and all. But given the popularity of both Obama and Simmons, we're not sure why they canceled such a huge opportunity and, instead, seem intent on pissing both off. Seeing as how Obama is a well-known pick-up hoops player and Simmons is known for his NBA knowledge, we imagine the conversation would have been pretty entertaining. From Nixon's alleged infamous play call to the current President's love of baseball, sports and politics have always collided. As a source told the NY Daily News, "They landed the hottest politician in 50 years, and they couldn't even see the interview through? This is insanity." [Ed note: Obama was on Real Sports last night.] [NYDN]
Image of Obama with former NFL greats Jerome Bettis and Franco Harris courtesy of barrackobamadotcom
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I'm sure it has to do with equal time. If they put Obama on, they have to put Hillary and McCain on, too.
The Bodenheimer theory doesn't hold water. He also gave $1500 to Chris Dodd, who has since endorsed Obama.
Also xlprg, equal time doesn't apply to podcasts. Technically, the FCC hasn't even ruled that equal-time rules apply to cable networks, though most make a habit of following it regardless.
It's possible that Disney brass (ESPN is part of their corporate umbrella) nixed the interview under the guise of "equal time" rules regarding political campaigns. Or were afraid that Simmons would only focus on Boston sports teams and not the Presidential race.
But let's face it, when it eventually comes down to Obama vs. McCain (yeah, I said it), who knows how relevant a Simmons/McCain interview will be? McCain keeps confusing Shiites and Sunnis.
What confuses me about the whole ordeal is that they've gone to the trouble of setting up this interview TWICE and both times have canceled at the last second. Why even bother if you're not going to follow through?
And I think Simmons is probably the best avenue for such an interview with Obama (maybe not so much McCain). After all, no matter what one thinks of him now that he's moved out to LA and is best buds with Jimmy Kimmel, Simmons got his start and his best stuff is from when he was on the outside looking in, sharing the same perspective as the average fan. I think he can bring this to the table for an interview. Though I would cringe at the probable numerous Karate Kid references...
"So, when Hillary pulled out the Kindergarten essay, was that like the scene in the Karate Kid when Johnny and the Cobra Kai guys chased Daniel Russo on bikes..."
@Chuck:
I don't think McCain's confusion can be attributed to ignorance so much as dementia.
@Spav
Are you as surprised as I am that neither Clinton or Obama has made a bigger issue of McCain's age and the fact he's the oldest-ever candidate? (not sure if that applies to incumbents)
ESPN saw no problem with having Bush sit in for about 3 innings of the Washington Nationals game earlier this year. Granted, he threw out the first pitch, but it was on-air.
so obama will go on ESPN, but not colbert?? michelle was okay last night, but the over hawking was sort of getting ridiculous at the end ... and I LOVE OBAMA.
@spav:
You're probably right. McCain will be the first President who nominates his home care nurse/pill lady as VEEP.
And cancelling an interview warrants intense scrutiny, speculation, and discussion why?? I would imagine candidates plans are changed/cancelled on a daily basis. Not sure why anyone would even care about this posting.
I thought that was Gabe Kaplan in the photo. Too bad, I might have voted for Obama if Mr. Kotter was on board.
It's worth reinforcing that Obama was never scheduled to be on ESPN. He was scheduled to be on a podcast with a columnist from espn.com. Just clarifying since some people seem to be confused about the format.
Are you as surprised as I am that neither Clinton or Obama has made a bigger issue of McCain's age and the fact he's the oldest-ever candidate?
My guess is that neither wants to be accused of age-ism, especially with all the baby boomers heading fast towards retirement. We all know that old people live for shit like grandchildren's birthdays, free coffee at McDonald's, driving 20 miles under the speed limit and Election Day. Nothing would fire up the AARP to mobilize their troops to come out and vote in droves more than one candidate's criticism about another being "too old." 1980, this is not...
Talk about selective coverage. Here on the Obamaist website, there was nary a word nor posted comment about Obam's recent words.
You know the words--the ones were he offended not only small-town Pennsylanians but also gun ownership advocates, immigration enforcement advocates, and average citizens who happen to be religious.
That was by far the biggest gaffe of Obama's candidacy and is likely going to hurt him in November.
Yet not a peep here on Obamaist. Instead we are given this ESPN story. I guess the ESPN thing is less depressing for supporters of the new Messiah.
Get some debate coverage you lazy assholes.
I'm mad cause you guys don't post until 10am every day and then call it quits at 4.
Fuck's sake.
I like this site. Act like professionals.
...the ones were he offended not only small-town Pennsylanians but also gun ownership advocates, immigration enforcement advocates, and average citizens who happen to be religious.
You mean neocons? Sorry to piss on your pity party, but the majority of recent polls have already determined the overblown "bitter" controversy to be a non-factor in most Pennsylvanians' minds. The few people he allegedly did offend are most likely not going to vote for a Democrat come November anyway, so get over it...
With each and every post of yours that I read, I become increasingly convinced that you only wound up in Chicago by virtue of getting lost on your way to Texas.
@Prescott:
That's Franco Harris.
@Chuck:
"Or were afraid that Simmons would only focus on Boston sports teams and not the Presidential race."
Word. Simmons is at his absolute worst when he's in full-on Tom Brady BJ mode.
75 - 90% of simmons stuff is boston related. i stopped reading him years ago due to boredom. i'm amazed he's still popular with anyone outside boston