ESPN cuts ties with controversial Jemele Hill, buys out her contract
Aug 27, 2018 4:32 pm
ESPN and sports commentator Jemele Hill have decided to part ways, the New York Post reported Monday.
The severing of Hill’s longtime relationship with ESPN is considered to be “amicable,” sources told the Post.
The sports network has reportedly agreed to a buyout of Hill’s $2.5 million per year contract.
What happened?
ESPN President Jimmy Pitaro wants the network to move away from political commentary and focus on sports, the Post reported.
Hill, who joined ESPN in 2006, has repeatedly sparked controversy with her political comments and social media posts.
She made headlines last fall when she accused President Donald Trump of being a white supremacist in a tweet. Hill faced no punishment by the network.
A few weeks later, Hill called on ESPN viewers to boycott the Dallas Cowboys after owner Jerry Jones announced he would bench any player who didn’t stand for the national anthem.
This time, she was suspended for two weeks and said she regretted having “painted ESPN in an unfair light,” according to Yahoo Sports.
Not long after her return, Hill left her anchor position on “SportsCenter” and began writing as a columnist for “The Undefeated.” Hill claimed that ESPN intentionally “muted” commentary on the show after her remarks about the president.
But according to the Post’s sources, Hill and her former co-host Michael Smith didn’t deliver the ratings. She has continued to face controversy with her political beliefs, the Post said.
Pitaro told the paper that it’s difficult for the network to expect viewers to ignore its personalities’ political stances on social media. But now he is putting action behind his words.
When is her last day?
Friday is expected to be the 42-year-old Hill’s final day at the network. It’s not immediately clear how much time was left on her contract.
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