ESPN has seen their once sizable audience shrink over the last few years. Ever since the network made the dumb decision to start injecting left wing politics into their sports coverage, fans have been walking away in droves.
Now the network president Jimmy Pitaro has finally seemed to figure this out, but it might already be too late.
He mentioned this in a piece in the Los Angeles Times:
Pitaro has also satisfied ESPN’s more traditional fans by steering commentators away from political discussions on-air and on social media, which heightened during President Trump’s criticism of NFL player protests against social injustice during the playing of the national anthem.
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“Without question our data tells us our fans do not want us to cover politics,” Pitaro said. “My job is to provide clarity. I really believe that some of our talent was confused on what was expected of them. If you fast-forward to today, I don’t believe they are confused.”
Many people on Twitter reacted to this in just the way you would expect. Via Twitchy:
ESPN President: ‘Our Fans Do Not Want Us to Cover Politics’ https://t.co/P0TrWbcBCn
— Jim Geraghty (@jimgeraghty) May 20, 2019
Finally figured it out. @espn
— Christie (@RepRepublic) May 20, 2019
No kidding. Took them long enough to figure that out.
— Roger Abramson (@rogerabramson) May 20, 2019
Former regular ESPN viewer: "Correct"
— Karl Nittinger (@karl_nittinger) May 20, 2019
Ya, no shiz. If only yall figured this out 6 years ago
— ~~~~^~~~~~\o/ (@Y4LYFE) May 20, 2019
No kidding genius!
— eric fehrman (@ericfehrman) May 20, 2019
It only took hundreds of cut jobs and millions in lost ad revenue to help them see the light…
— James Canterbury, M.Ed. (@Mr_Canterbury) May 20, 2019
It took a room with 50 execs. To come to this conclusion. Woke Center.
— Scott Miller (@Rellimttocs) May 20, 2019
Coulda told him that a long time ago. What a stupid experiment for @espn to even bring politics into the sports mix.
— Rick Hadley (@oldgringophoto) May 20, 2019
Seriously, how could they just be figuring this out now?
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