Like another noted above, I quit watching ESPN and all the other self-congratulating bastards long ago. Not a fan of politics mixing with my entertainment........
ESPN ratings decline forces network to assume DEFCON II Readiness Posture
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Michael Jordan was asked years ago, something to the effect of, "as THE most recognizable face in all of sports, why do you remain a-poltical?"
His response? "Republicans buy sneakers too."
Whether one agrees to Jordan's philosophy matters not... but his response is nevertheless no less significant as it relates to how ESPN has chosen to approach the modern-day cultural/political issues.
ESPN, as an organization, is obviously at liberty to maintain whatever company policy they want.
And the viewership, likewise, is at liberty to show their disapproval of their content by boycotting/tuning out the network, which has happened in recent months on an enormous scale.
This PR memo released to the public, at the very least, suggests that the company is reconsidering the direction with their content. Yet at the same time, I sense more of a "take it or leave it" mindset versus any real sincerity from the network to get back to the way they used to manage their non-political programming.
Mind you, this isn't just one-sided. Curt Shilling was another network personality who couldn't refrain from keeping his political viewpoints out of the public social media fray. After letting his opinion be known of the issue involving transgendered males being allowed in female restrooms via social media, Shilling was let go back in April of 2016. It's worth noting that his social media post didn't involve accusing (then) President Barrack Obama of "bigotry" and "black supremacy."
Then to compare his transgressions to Jemele Hill's public political tirade via social media a week ago, against the current administration via social media.. who undeniably disrespected the current President of the United States, labeling him as a "bigot" and "white supremacist"... with the network doing little more than putting out a press release that her viewpoints don't necessarily represent the network's?
Where is the consistency here? Mind you - I've no problem with Shilling's departure from the network. Company policy there has always dictated that political viewpoints stay out of the fray. Shilling violated company policy and was let go. That's fair play.
But what about Jemele Hill? Why does ESPN suddenly feel the need to protect an on-air personality's free speech, company policy be damned?
Do they honestly think that a majority of the average viewers, who don't want this political shit meandering into their sports-news programming, can't understand the biases involved?
May their ratings continue to plummet.
PA-PLAYA - how about the tennis commentator (Adler?) that was fired from ESPN for describing one specific play in which Williams charged the net for saying she “put the guerrilla effect on.” Snowflakes melted down and he's out... He is now suing and I'm guessing there will be some out-of-court settlement so ESPN doesn't have to air their dirty laundry.
Stephen A. Smith is ruining that channel. I only watch ESPN to get facts, not opinions. Sportscenter to catch up on who beat who is all I need.
PA-PLAYA Agree 100%. Fox Sports is as good (maybe even better) than ESPN used to be.
Programming is very diverse... UFC, Nascar, NFL, MLB, US Open golf.... not to mention UFC, which has become more popular than a lot of other sports the past several years.
You failed to mention NCAA football where Fox Sports is also rocking it. USC v Texas was the number one watched college game all weekend.
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Sports center and games.....but even sc is a bit of a waste, as with a few clicks I can have all the info I need/want.
Yep. Fox Sports is crushing ESPN in just about every category.
I remember years ago (probably 10) listening to Stephen A Smith on Saturdays when I was working and he filled in on the national show. I think he was just a local sports guy then. I remember one of our local Detroit guys filling in on this show occasionally ,too. Anyway Smith was actually really good, none of the schtick he uses now. He was reserved and intelligent and especially good on the NBA. He obviously found a gimmick that got him a national deal and it's made him millions but he's unwatchable now.
PA-PLAYA Why Shilling and not Hill get the axe - white, conservative male vs black, liberal female. As for me, I watch/listen to Mike and Mike in the mornings and that is it for ESPN. If I want politics with my morning coffee I'll tune in to CNN, Fox or MSNBC, not really, but from a Sport and Entertainment network, that is what I want, not a political rant.
Aren't they also cancelling Mike and Mike? I thought I heard earlier this year that Mike and Mike was in its last season.
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My random thoughts on this issue.
I dislike ESPN for other reasons, like for the way they covered Deflategate. 
They lied and then recanted after midnight when no one was watching.
As a politics junkie the politics issue is an interesting one for me. We live in a very polarizing (political) time and I understand ESPN's not wanting to get into any controversy in that regard. An employer should be allowed to tell an employee what is allowed and what isn't at the workplace.
On their personal time they should be allowed to exercise their first amendment rights however. As far as Colin Kapernick goes. If I was an NFL owner I would hire him with the understanding that he can protest issues outside of his workplace, but not inside.
I happen to agree with Hill on her opinion of Trump, but ESPN has the right to tell her that her opinion is off limits on the air. I remember when Rush Limbaugh was fired from ESPN for his comments about black quarterbacks. Disagree with Schilling's politics as well. But as I remember he made his comments outside of the workplace so their is some duplicity with how ESPN handles these situations.
However, bottom line is an employer can fire you for any reason as long as they don't violate any of the discrimination laws. They can fire you because it happens to be a Wednesday. This is for "at will' employees. Employees with contracts can be fired as long as it doesn't violate their contract. Otherwise settlements are reached.
I remember when black athletes like Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Tommy Smith and other former and current (at the time) prominent black athletes asked O.J. Simson to join them in speaking out against racism and he declined just as Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods have done. Simpson, Jordan and Woods put their wallets ahead of equality and justice for their race.
Having a spokesperson for the President saying a person should be fired is a scary thing. However, Donald Trump when he worked for NBC (The Apprentice) called President Obama a racist. And no repercussions were brought about by NBC towards Trump. I don't remember Trump calling for his own firing. 
Trump started his political rise on a racist lie when he propagated the Birther bullshit that Obama was not born in this country.
I find myself watching more of Fox Sports 1 than ESPN. I like the Bayless and Sharp show and Colin Coherds show. They have a new show early in the morning with Chris Carter and Nick Wright that I catch some of. My favorite is with Coherd and Jason Whitlock (Speak for Yourself). Also like Katie Dolan, but they can't seem to find what to do with her.
ESPN's Mike and Mike is a good show, but Greenie is leaving that his show to have his own show.
"Trump started his political rise on a racist lie when he propagated the Birther bullshit that Obama was not born in this country."
How is this racist? Do you deem Clinton racist for using this same tact in '08?
And here we go.
ESPN pretty much jumped the shark when they started showing odd ball/obscure events that were barely a contest,
let alone a sporting event.
Hell just a couple weeks ago they had the Cornhole World Championships! WTF
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Why start this bullshit? I was simply making a claim that ESPN ratings were in the tank because of the unwanted political rhetoric that has become more and more the norm there, and how I don't wish to get involved or bogged down in the same stuff in my personal time.
Watching sports, reading about sports, discussing sports - is my personal time. And that also includes when I want to come here to enjoy thoughtful discussion about sports, or about a myriad of other topics that don't delve deeply into the political debate realm of discussion.
So I would encourage my fellow posters to honor my wish, as the original poster of the thread. That's not what was intended. Please keep topics on-point. Feel free to agree or disagree with the idea that politics does/doesn't belong in sports programming and sports news... just please keep the "well my side is better than your side because of this" bullshit out of it.
And if you can't, then I'd just prefer that you find another thread to make toxic.
I find it very newsworthy that a major sports network is encountering a fairly serious crisis because of political outspokenness, and highlighted an example of how that network is proceeding in a biased manner.
It wasn't intended to be an open thread about Clinton, Trump, Obama, or whoever else you either despise or love, or to list reasons why.
I am officially a-political, which is why I find this shit repulsive to be honest. Don't want to be subjected to it at ESPN, or Golfbuzz for that matter.
Thank you all for understanding and honoring my request. 