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Split Decision Special 5.11.16: On Curt Schilling & Hypocrisy In Sports Media

By Jason Disantis, @JasonInCLE

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and are not necessarily representative of Triple Threat CLE or the other writers of Triple Threat CLE.


Before many reading this jump at the chance to get offended let me make one thing clear, this is not a bathroom law article.  This is a hypocrisy article.

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm not a huge fan of a certain four-letter network in sports and entertainment.  They also know that I have had strong opinions against the NFL and other sports leagues due to policies and decisions that have been made within and outside of what I believe is there jurisdiction.  Much of my disagreement with ESPN and those leagues is due to their hypocrisies in regards to their employees and social issues.

The most recent examples of those hypocrisies lie in ESPN's firing of former MLB commentator Curt Schilling.  I'm not going to spend time going over the bathroom laws that started the newest social debate.  (If you don't know then search North Carolina bathroom laws or for goodness sake watch the news every once in a while)

Schilling posted on Facebook, "A man is a man no matter what they call themselves.  I don't care what they are, who they sleep with, men's room was designed for the penis, women's not so much.  Now you need laws telling us differently?  Pathetic."

ESPN then issued this statement regarding that post: "ESPN is an inclusive company.  Curt Schilling has been advised that his conduct was unacceptable and his employment with ESPN has been terminated."

What ESPN should have said is that they are an "inclusive company" so long as you agree with them.  There is nothing "inclusive" about firing someone for disagreeing with you.  Fellow ESPN colleague of Schilling and host of "The Jump" on ESPN2, Rachel Nichols, also had some choice words in regards to the North Carolina law and the NBA possibly moving the 2017 All-
Star Game out of Charlotte due to the law.

"I would strongly urge the NBA to follow through on this if this bill isn't scrapped.  Discrimination is discrimination.  It's not okay to tell someone you're not going to serve them in your restaurant because you don't like their skin color..." Nichols said.  (She also butchered the actual law itself in her rant, referencing that the law was for the entire state of North Carolina when it was only for Charlotte)

Full disclosure here: I'm not black.  Nor have I ever knowingly been a victim of real racism.  But if I was black I would be giving Ms. Nichols an absolute earful.

Comparing asking a man with a penis to use a men's bathroom to being denied a service because of your skin color is grossly absurd.  I am surprised her comments haven't gotten more backlash from the black community and victims of racism.  Maybe it hasn't gotten the attention because not many watch ESPN2 original programming.

This isn't Schilling's first punishment from ESPN though.  He was taken off of 2015 MLB coverage after he retweeted a picture comparing radical Muslims to Nazis.

And while Schilling was getting pulled from MLB coverage, ESPN personality Tony Kornheiser later that year was comparing the Tea Party to ISIS while speaking with Howard Fineman when he asked if the Tea Party was, "like ISIS trying to establish a caliphate here?!"  Unlike Schilling, Kornheiser was never disciplined for this comment.

One of the most disturbing parts of ESPN's handling of the situation is while Schilling posted his views on a Facebook page, Nichols was using the company forum to let her ideology be known and push her agenda.

Which leads into the hypocrisy of NBA commissioner Adam Silver, and his threats of pulling the 2017 All-Star Game out of Charlotte.

"We've been, I think, crystal clear a change in the law is necessary for us to play in the kind of environment that we think is appropriate for a celebratory NBA event," Silver said at the Associated Press Sports Editors' commissioner meetings.

This is pretty low, even by major sports league commissioner standards.  Using your power to hurt the economy and people of a city and state because they do not agree with your personal ideology on bathrooms is deplorable.

But here is why it's hypocritical.

Earlier this year (during Toronto's All-Star weekend ironically enough), Adam Silver spoke of expanding the NBA and plans on developing the basketball in India.

"The billion followers of the NBA on social media include many millions of our fans in India as well."  Silver also spoke of the NBA's 10-person office in Mumbai and how happy he was with their television arrangement in India and plans how they have "plans to do more."

Before the commissioner gets too excited about expanding to India he should read up on their LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) laws.  Specifically section 377 of the Indian Penal Code which states that those engaging in homosexual intercourse, "shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or for a term which may extend to 10 years, and shall also be liable to a fine."  Simply put India is one of about 75 countries left in the world where being gay is a criminal offense.

So while knowing that moving an all-star game from Charlotte won't hurt his revenue stream, Silver can try to bully North Carolina into adopting his personal ideologies.  But an opportunity to add a new source of revenue and expand the NBA on a global scale is more important than the advancement of the LGBT community world-wide.

Too often those in a position of power use that power to push an agenda outside of their respective business.  If Adam Silver was as focused about his league's officiating as he was about making sure men were allowed to use the bathroom with girls then we would have a better product to watch.  ESPN should be focused on revolutionizing the way they bring sports and entertainment to its customers, not bullying their employees who don't share the same ideological views as them and the Disney corporation. 

Those who preach tolerance the loudest are always the least tolerant.  Here are just another two examples.

#Browns Preview 11.29.15: Baltimore #Ravens @ Cleveland Browns

By @mrgroce

On Monday night in prime time, we will all get to watch the heavyweight matchup between the 2-8 Cleveland Browns and the 3-8 Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens are coming off of a 16-13 win against the St.Louis Rams, while the Browns are coming off of a somewhat eventful bye week. Shortly after naming QB Johnny Manziel the starter for the remainder of the season, Manziel made another bad decision off of the field and that has now led him to being named the third string QB for the foreseeable future. With Ravens QB Joe Flacco out with a torn ACL, fans of the NFL get to see Josh McCown and Matt Schaub battle it out. Watch party at my house.

Trying to find keys to the game for two teams that have five wins combined can be a bit difficult. Baltimore won against a tough, well coached team last week so I think it's safe to say they haven't given up yet. If the Browns who have lost their last two by 21 points each, coming off of a bye, at home on Monday night can't get up for this one against a division rival that they already beat, it would appear that they've waived the white flag. The Ravens could be without three starters on the offensive line, and rookie Javorius Allen replaces running back Justin Forsett in the backfield. Luckily for them, they'll be facing the seventh worst defense in total yards and the worst team against the run.

The Browns have only managed to score 19 points total in the last two games that Manziel started. They also were only able to gain 96 yards rushing in both of those games. In those two games, Johnny went 48-78 with 540 yards passing. The Browns average 20 points per game when McCown starts and 11 points when Manziel starts. Since the running game is basically nonexistent, expect to see a lot of Gary Barnidge and Travis Benjamin. McCown is still nursing sore ribs, so one good hit could open the door for backup QB Austin Davis to get some playing time.

Every Ravens game has been decided by eight points or less, and I don't see this one being any different. The Browns defense is bad but I don't see them getting beat by Schaub and a rookie running back. I have the Browns winning another close one over the Ravens 20-17.

What: Cleveland Browns vs. Baltimore Ravens
When: Monday Nov. 30 2015
Where: FirstEnergy Stadium Cleveland, Oh
TV/Radio: ESPN (national)/ 850 WKNR, 92.3 The Fan, 98.5 WCNX

Leadoff with Lee 6.2.15 #CamNewton #MarkMay #CaitlynJenner #UAB

By @cleeverizon

- The Carolina Panthers and Cam Newton are close to agreeing on a long term deal that would keep Newton under team control through the 2020 season.

The contract extension being finalized with the Panthers is expected to be 5 years, more than $100M. Newton, the No. 1 overall pick in 2011, is scheduled to make $14.67 million this season after the Panthers picked up their club option for his fifth year. Bus Cook, who along with Tony Paige represents Newton, declined comment when reached by e-mail on Monday. The deal is expected to be complete no later than Wednesday.

- Who is the biggest hater of Ohio State on ESPN? Mark May! Here's the good news: May will no longer appear on ESPN's studio show "College Football Final. Mark May, who had been featured on the show since 2005, will become apart of another studio show with ESPN's John Saunders and Mack Brown. May will be replaced by former Buckeyes wide receiver Joey Galloway. How convenient.

- The University of Alabama Birmingham will reinstate it football program according to school President Ray Watts. The decision is a stunning reversal after Watts announced the dismissal of the sport a six months ago. Last December, UAB became the first Division I, Football Bowl Series (FBS) school to drop football in nearly twenty years. The CarrSports consulting report said the program needed to invest $49 million over five years to maintain a competitive football program. Former player Justin Craft created a committee to raise private funds to reinstate football. 

The CSS report stated it was viable for UAB to both reinstate football and maintain the status quo, describing a $3.165 million annual financial delta. Craft raised more than $15 million to cover any financial deficits. The Birmingham City Council and the UAB Undergraduate Student Government Association made multi-million dollar pledges, totaling nearly $6 million over five years. Jimmy Filler, a Birmingham businessman, also pledged to raise $7.5 million for an on-campus stadium. The decision to reinstate football should allow UAB to remain in Conference USA, which requires its members to have a Football Bowl Series level football program. If UAB didn't reinstate football, it would have been forced to leave the conference and lose upwards of $2 million annually.

- ESPN will present Bruce Jenner now known as Caitlyn Jenner with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. Caitlyn is now labeled transgender. Jenner became a national hero when she won the decathlon gold medal with a record-setting performance at the 1976 Olympics. She identified as Bruce Jenner at the time. In announcing the award, ESPN cited Jenner's "athletic prowess and determination" at the Olympics and the "strength of character" that Jenner displayed in her coming-out interview with Diane Sawyer. The Arthur Ashe award has been presented every year since the sports-related ESPYs were established in 1993. Last years recipient football player Michael Sam became the first NFL prospect to announce he is gay. In his speech, he spoke about acceptance and respect. ESPN says the award is intended to "reflect the spirit of Arthur Ashe, possessing strength in the face of adversity, courage in the face of peril and the willingness to stand up for their beliefs no matter what the cost."

- We here at Triple Threat CLE are proud to announce our debut radio show will be on Friday June 5th on NoStaticRadio.com from 9pm - 11pm.

It can also be heard on your mobile device by downloading the MixLr app,which is available free of charge on your Apple or Android device.

This radio show is about a year and a half in the making and was founded by Chris (Raven) Williams (@nevaRWilliams) and myself @cleeverizon aka Lee.

We will talk about sports not only on the local level, but national level. We will also talk entertainment which will include but not limited to wrestling, music, video games, movies, cellphones and/or anything you want to talk about. We have some funny true to life stories that's I know are LOL funny too.

The studio number is 216-939-5087, give us a call or send us a tweet @triple3xthreat, and use the hashtag #StayWoke. We want to hear your threat (take) ! We have a lot of things planned that I'm eager to tell you but you have to listen to find out. You can also tweet @NoStatic_Radio and tell them how much you love the show. We will change the way you listen to radio. #StayWoke

Follow @triple3xthreat On Twitter
Like Us On Facebook

Chris Williams: @nevaRWilliams
Chris Lee: @cleeverizon
Mark West: @MarkW2112
Brandon Albright: @B_Rock1978
Kate Arhar: @ClvlndK8
Chris Lulovics: @CLulovics
Jaison Roberts: @Kratoslives
Cliff Gulley Jr.: @CLG2282
Patrick Kocon: @CTown_WUJU
Jason Disantis: @jddiantis

Leadoff with Lee 10.7.14

By @cleeverizon & @neveRWilliams

-The defending champion Seattle Seahawks defeated Washington 27-17 last night on Monday Night Football. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson led the surge with 201 yards passing and 2 touchdowns to go along with 122 rushing yards and 1 touchdown. Marshawn Lynch rushed for 72 yards of his own. Washington QB Kirk Cousins statistically looked better than his dismal outing last week with 283 yards, 2 TD's and 9=0 interceptions. But in the end, the Seahawks were just too much for them to handle. Week 6's Monday Night game will see the San Francisco 49ers travel to St. Louis to take on the Rams.

-The NLDS continues on! Using an error by Madison Bumgarner on a sacrifice bunt, the Nationals outlasted the San Francisco Giants 4-1 in Game 3 of their series. Bumgarner went 7 innings, giving up only 2 earned runs and recording 6 strikeouts. Doug Fister also pitched 7 innings, giving up zero earned runs and punching 3 strikeouts while picking up the win for the Nationals. Game 4 of this series will be tonight at 9 pm with San Francisco leading 2-1.

-Also continuing is the series between the St. Louis Cardinals and LA Dodgers after the Cardinals 3-1 victory to take a 2-1 lead in the 5 game set. John Lackey picked up the big win for the Cards after going 7 innings with 8 strikeouts. Kolten Wong had the big bat tonight with his 2-run homer. Yadier Molina, Matt Carpenter and Jhonny Peralta each had doubles in the game with Carpenter also adding a home run in the 3rd inning off of Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu. Game 4 of this series is the evening at 5 pm.

-So I can't do any Beats huh? Apparently the NFL said Richard Sherman the most superstar spokesperson for Beats by Dre cannot wear the highly popular headphones that he endorses. The same should apply for fellow endorser, the 49ers Colin Kaepernick. In August the league announced the deal to have Motorola become the replacement as the official outfitter of the coaches headsets and sidelines throughout the league. In my opinion, the NFL did not pay attention to pop culture. This is not about pop-culture it's about rights, culture, endorsements and of course, money.

-ESPN and TNT agreed to a new television rights deal with the NBA through 2024. These deals will take effect in the 2016 and 2017 seasons. After the season, both LeBron James and Kevin Love should be able to sign extended contracts to stay with the Cavaliers. James is also at the forefront of a group of players that want to do away with max contract restrictions.

TV Tonight 4.23.14

MLB
Royals @ Indians (STO, 7 PM)
Yankees @ Red Sox (ESPN, 7 PM)

NBA PLAYOFFS
Bobcats @ Heat, Game 2, Heat lead 1-0 (TNT, 7 PM)
Mavericks @ Spurs, Game 2, Spurs lead 1-0 (NBA TV, 8 PM)
Trail Blazers @ Rockets, Game 2, Trail Blazers lead 1-0 (TNT, 9:30 PM)

NHL PLAYOFFS
Penguins @ Blue Jackets, Game 4, Penguins lead 2-1 (NBC Sports, 7 PM)
Ducks @ Stars, Game 4, Ducks lead 2-1 (CNBC, 8 PM)
Blues @ Blackhawks, Game 4, Blues lead 2-1 (NBC Sports, 9:30 PM)

====

Sportscenter Special: On The Clock (ESPN2, 8 PM)
2014 Draft Acadamy (ESPN 2, 9 PM)

Arrow (The CW, 8 PM)
American Idol (FOX, 8 PM)
Modern Family (ABC, 9 PM)

Nashville (ABC, 10 PM)
Legit (FXX, 10 PM)
The Americans (FX, 10PM)

TV Tonight 4.20.14

MLB
Orioles @ Red Sox (ESPN, 7 pm)

NBA PLAYOFFS
Wizards @ Bulls, Game 1 (TNT, 7 pm)
Trail Blazers @ Rockets Game 1 (TNT, 9:30 pm)

----
Game of Thrones (HBO, 9 pm)
Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (FOX, 9 pm)

Salem (WGN, 10 pm)
Mad Men (AMC, 10 pm)
Silicon Valley (HBO, 10 pm)
Veep (HBO, 10:30 pm)