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Sunday, August 10, 2014

Hollywood Reporter: ESPN Suspends Host for Domestic Abuse Story

The sports network has suspended host Max Kellerman after he admitted Monday on ESPN-LA Radio show Mason & Ireland that he hit his then-girlfriend, Erin, several years ago. Max and Erin have now been married for 20 years.

“Max Kellerman will return to ESPNLA Radio and SportsNation on Thursday,” ESPN said in a statement released to The Hollywood Reporter.

Max explained in the story that he and Erin were at a college party and were drunk at the time. Max said that Erin slapped him, and so he slapped her back.

Wait, what? Max has been married to Erin for 20 years but “he hit his then-girlfriend ... several years ago?”

Stormy JE Posted: August 10, 2014 at 12:36 AM | 60 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: domestic abuse, domestic violence, espn, suspensions, talk radio

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1. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 09:04 AM (#4767947)

in other news, Seahawks radio network announced Warren Moon will be suspended from preseason games this year for his 1995 domestic violence incident.

2. catomi01 Posted: August 10, 2014 at 09:15 AM (#4767950)

yeah...not to minimize or condone domestic violence, but if my current boss disciplined me for something I did in college years before I started working for him, I might be a little angry.

3. shoelesjoe Posted: August 10, 2014 at 09:19 AM (#4767952)

I believe I'll suspend ESPN from my viewing schedule for the foreseeable future. Life's too short to put up with this kind of self righteous nonsense.

4. Captain Supporter Posted: August 10, 2014 at 09:52 AM (#4767956)

You have to understand how corporations work to get what happened here. I strongly suspect he is not being disciplined not for an event that occurred years before (which would indeed be absurd, particularly since at ESPN that kind of background normally gets you hired, not fired). In the wake of the Stephen A. Smith incident, ESPN's attorneys and management probably issued an edict telling their on-air personalities not to speak about the incident specifically or domestic violence in general. And Kellerman violated the edict for reasons best known to himself.

At that point, ESPN has to suspend him even though they know they will look ridiculous, because they have to let the other on-air talent know that there will be consequences to disregarding their edicts.

Obviously this is speculation, but its based on a lot of experience in this kind of milieu.

5. BDC

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 09:52 AM (#4767957)

Yes: near as I can tell, the suspension is not for the slap, but for making light of it on the air.

6. Lassus Posted: August 10, 2014 at 10:02 AM (#4767959)

Jason, WTF with this trolling. At least stick to baseball.

7. Tulo's Fishy Mullet (mrams) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 10:03 AM (#4767960)

that's a good theory in #4.

8. catomi01 Posted: August 10, 2014 at 10:13 AM (#4767964)

that's a good theory in #4.

It makes sense....and makes me happy yet again that I work at a small company despite the downsides and pitfalls that entails.

9. valuearbitrageur Posted: August 10, 2014 at 12:04 PM (#4767988)

it's not a theory, they've gotten killed over their treatment of the Ray Rice incident, and told all on air personalities further discussions of the topic were verboten.

10. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 12:10 PM (#4767990)

That lengthy suspension will teach him not to beat his wife to death with a tire iron, chop up her body into small parts, and spread the remains around an alligator feeding ground in the Everglades. Or whatever terrible thing he must have done, based on the headline.

11. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 12:15 PM (#4767992)

Max explained in the story that he and Erin were at a college party and were drunk at the time. Max said that Erin slapped him, and so he slapped her back.

How is this "domestic abuse"?

12. Best Regards, President of Comfort, Esq., LLC Posted: August 10, 2014 at 01:13 PM (#4768007)

How is this "domestic abuse"?

Because two people in a relationship were physically violent to each other.

13. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 01:22 PM (#4768008)

Because two people in a relationship were physically violent to each other.

But, she hit him first. If anyone was guilty, it would seem to be her.

But, in any case, such a trivial incident really shouldn't be classified as criminal. If two drunk buddies got in a wrestling match, we wouldn't call it assault.

14. valuearbitrageur Posted: August 10, 2014 at 01:25 PM (#4768009)

Stop it Snapper. As logical as your statement is, no one wants to draw a line anywhere in domestic abuse cases. The PC police will eat you alive.

15. LA Podcasting Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 01:34 PM (#4768011)

Yes, let us not forget who the real villain is here: the "PC police."

16. Leroy Kincaid Posted: August 10, 2014 at 01:36 PM (#4768012)

It was several years ago at a college party and they've been married for 20 years? Were they wed in kindergarten?

17. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 01:43 PM (#4768017)

Yes, let us not forget who the real villain is here: the "PC police."

There's no villain here. No crime was committed. A drunk couple acted dumb.

18. LA Podcasting Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 01:47 PM (#4768018)

There's no villain here. No crime was committed. A drunk couple acted dumb.

And nobody's said otherwise, yet the specter of the PC police hangs over us all, mostly because some people need to feel persecuted.

19. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 01:50 PM (#4768022)

And nobody's said otherwise, yet the specter of the PC police hangs over us all, mostly because some people need to feel persecuted.

Hey, I didn't mention it :-)

20. Best Regards, President of Comfort, Esq., LLC Posted: August 10, 2014 at 01:53 PM (#4768024)

But, she hit him first. If anyone was guilty, it would seem to be her.

They're both guilty. Unless her slap let him to reasonably believe that his life was in danger, hitting her was unjustified.

But, in any case, such a trivial incident really shouldn't be classified as criminal.

Who here classified it as criminal? It was classified as abuse.

If two drunk buddies got in a wrestling match, we wouldn't call it assault.

Yeah, slapping your boyfriend/girlfriend is just like "buddies getting in a wrestling match". Fantastic analogy.

21. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 01:56 PM (#4768027)

Who here classified it as criminal? It was classified as abuse.

"Domestic abuse" is a legal term. It sure sounds criminal.

And it's not abuse either.

Yeah, slapping your boyfriend/girlfriend is just like "buddies getting in a wrestling match". Fantastic analogy.

You're right, it's much less dangerous. There's zero chance of anyone getting hurt from an open hand slap.

22. tshipman

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 02:08 PM (#4768034)

If you hit your spouse in anger, regardless of circumstance, you should have a serious soul-searching session.

That there is a taboo on spousal abuse is a great thing, and a tangible sign of progress over the last 100 years.

23. LA Podcasting Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 02:10 PM (#4768038)

Hey, I didn't mention it :-)

Sigh. But someone always does. Not you, though. You and I are good. UP TOP.

24. AJMcCringleberry Posted: August 10, 2014 at 02:36 PM (#4768054)

This is better than Deadspin, who described him as "battering" his girlfriend.

25. The Yankee Clapper Posted: August 10, 2014 at 02:52 PM (#4768062)

Max said that Erin slapped him, and so he slapped her back.

So, where does Erin work?

26. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 02:57 PM (#4768066)

And nobody's said otherwise, yet the specter of the PC police hangs over us all, mostly because some people need to feel persecuted.

Uh, the guy was suspended from his job for something that (a) from the sound of it, was trivial, and (b) happened decades ago. And yet somehow you conclude that "nobody said otherwise" to the claim that the guy is a villain? It sounds like ESPN did in fact say otherwise.

(The alternate explanation that he was suspended not for the mutual slap but for talking about it is not a mitigating factor; that makes it even more obvious that it's about the PC police.)

27. Lance Reddick! Lance him! Posted: August 10, 2014 at 03:12 PM (#4768072)

Unless her slap let him to reasonably believe that his life was in danger, hitting her was unjustified.

That's the standard for killing in self defense, dumbass.

28. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 03:14 PM (#4768074)

That there is a taboo on spousal abuse is a great thing, and a tangible sign of progress over the last 100 years.

Agreed, but this isn't spousal abuse. Calling this triviality "spousal abuse" trivializes the term. Just like branding a 17 y.o. who has sex with a 16 y.o. a "sex offender" or calling a simple spanking "child abuse". Language matters.

29. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 03:14 PM (#4768075)

Unless her slap let him to reasonably believe that his life was in danger, hitting her was unjustified.

That's the standard for killing in self defense, dumbass.

I laughed. Can't believe I missed that part.

30. tshipman

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 03:24 PM (#4768080)

Agreed, but this isn't spousal abuse. Calling this triviality "spousal abuse" trivializes the term. Just like branding a 17 y.o. who has sex with a 16 y.o. a "sex offender" or calling a simple spanking "child abuse". Language matters.

Tell me, how many times do you have to slap your wife for it to be spousal abuse?

31. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 03:32 PM (#4768082)

Tell me, how many times do you have to slap your wife for it to be spousal abuse?

His wife (then girlfriend) hit him first. So, if anyone was guilty it was her.

If the other person hits you first, and you don't respond disproportionately, you haven't done anything wrong.

32. tshipman

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 03:39 PM (#4768084)

If the other person hits you first, and you don't respond disproportionately, you haven't done anything wrong.

Uh, no.

33. Lars6788 Posted: August 10, 2014 at 03:42 PM (#4768088)

I don't care if the woman tried to literally kill the man, if he puts one finger on her in self defense, it's his effin fault.

34. LA Podcasting Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 03:45 PM (#4768090)

Uh, the guy was suspended from his job for something that (a) from the sound of it, was trivial, and (b) happened decades ago. And yet somehow you conclude that "nobody said otherwise" to the claim that the guy is a villain? It sounds like ESPN did in fact say otherwise.

35. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:07 PM (#4768113)

Uh, no.

If you hit someone, and they hit you back, you have no legal case for assault, either criminal or civil, unless they escalate the violence.

I don't care if the woman tried to literally kill the man, if he puts one finger on her in self defense, it's his effin fault.

I hope this is sarcasm.

36. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:08 PM (#4768114)

Because they're being politically correct? Ridiculous. Kellerman said something to bring light to an issue ESPN wants to go away because they're all about protecting the NFL. ESPN didn't do this because of some misplaced sense of morality, they're protecting their business partners.

Agree with this, ESPN's action is pure PR. Of course this suspension will probably backfire and bring MORE attention to their issues of treating women badly.

37. tshipman

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:14 PM (#4768120)

If you hit someone, and they hit you back, you have no legal case for assault, either criminal or civil, unless they escalate the violence.

Matthew 5:39 according to snapper:

But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, slap your wife back because the ##### had it coming.

38. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:16 PM (#4768123)

Snapper, your legal arguments in 31 and 35 are wrong. The law never allows retaliatory force. It allows force in self-defense. That's what the proportionality inquiry relates to: did you use the force necessary to defend yourself, proportional to the threat. If someone slaps you, you are not permitted to slap them back to get even. You can use a similar level of force to stop them from slapping you, but that's it. To be sure, in the heat of an exchange, the lines may blur; if someone shoves you, is your shoving back defensive or just tit-for-tat? Since we weren't there and all we have is a very short description of the incident, we can't judge his act, but if he simply slapped her because she deserved it, that's not legal.

39. David Nieporent (now, with children) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:20 PM (#4768125)

Because they're being politically correct? Ridiculous. Kellerman said something to bring light to an issue ESPN wants to go away because they're all about protecting the NFL. ESPN didn't do this because of some misplaced sense of morality, they're protecting their business partners.

I'm a little unclear about how your second - fourth sentences support your first, rather than refuting it. At best, you're arguing that it's vicarious political correctness.

40. LA Podcasting Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:23 PM (#4768129)

"Vicarious political correctness"? I guess if anyone does anything about any issue, then you could make that particular argument. Whatever.

41. Harveys Wallbangers

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:24 PM (#4768131)

i guess the lesson at espn is don't say sh8t about nothin' to nobody

so espn must have moved to new jersey................

42. Lassus Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:28 PM (#4768137)

Masterful, Jason. Absolutely masterful. Textbook.

43. zack Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:33 PM (#4768143)

You're right, it's much less dangerous. There's zero chance of anyone getting hurt from an open hand slap.

44. Jose is an Absurd Doubles Machine Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:42 PM (#4768152)

Good baseball talk guys.

45. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:45 PM (#4768155)

Snapper, your legal arguments in 31 and 35 are wrong. The law never allows retaliatory force. It allows force in self-defense. That's what the proportionality inquiry relates to: did you use the force necessary to defend yourself, proportional to the threat. If someone slaps you, you are not permitted to slap them back to get even. You can use a similar level of force to stop them from slapping you, but that's it. To be sure, in the heat of an exchange, the lines may blur; if someone shoves you, is your shoving back defensive or just ###-for-tat? Since we weren't there and all we have is a very short description of the incident, we can't judge his act, but if he simply slapped her because she deserved it, that's not legal.

By the letter I'm sure you're correct, but when was the last time the guy who was hit first got convicted? Barring the case where he goes overboard stomps the guy nearly to death.

Matthew 5:39 according to snapper:

So, everyone who doesn't live up the the ideal standard should lose his job? (In any case, Matthew 5:39 has never been read to mean self-defense is not allowed.)

Would it have been better if he handed slapped his girlfriend back? Sure. That's the bigger thing to do. But he shouldn't be villainized for a very normal response to getting hit.

46. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: August 10, 2014 at 04:46 PM (#4768159)

Ignoring the story and the PC police fight, I'm guessing from this statement you've never had the #### slapped out of you.

I guess we could quibble about types of slaps, but it's certainly possible to hurt someone good when you attempt to slap them.

No, never. I've never been beat up in my life. Only in three fights, only one since middle school.

Granted, but I'm assuming these were not vicious blows, since the couple invoved have since been married for 20 years.

47. Stormy JE

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 05:00 PM (#4768168)

Masterful, Jason. Absolutely masterful. Textbook.

Sorry I didn't display enough coverage to submit the 58th Mets-related post of the week, Lassus.

48. tshipman

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 05:34 PM (#4768182)

So, everyone who doesn't live up the the ideal standard should lose his job?

Who lost his job here?

But yes, it's a lesson you should have learned a long time ago. Don't hit women.

49. BDC

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 05:35 PM (#4768185)

Since I can't discover what Kellerman actually said, I'll qualify #5: I have no idea whether he made light of spousal abuse, or told a pointless story, or in fact actually tried to contribute something constructive to the discussion. With Leather reports that

Kellerman wasn’t suspended for the content of his story. He was suspended for not toeing the company line at ESPN

Insofar as I can make any sense of that characterization, it seems that ESPN will suspend people who mention a topic that has been all over the sports news, which is something they purportedly cover. In that case, I agree with Hombre and with DMN, that's preposterous.

Now if somebody were to go on the air and say "What's so bad about Ray Rice, me and the wife used to slap each other around all the time, har har," that's a different story: though I stress that I have no indication Kellerman said anything like that. He may have been talking about a long-past problem in reflective and compassionate terms.

50. tshipman

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 05:39 PM (#4768186)

Now if somebody were to go on the air and say "What's so bad about Ray Rice, me and the wife used to slap each other around all the time, har har," that's a different story: though I stress that I have no indication Kellerman said anything like that. He may have been talking about a long-past problem in reflective and compassionate terms.

I imagine this is the case actually. Kellerman is a pretty thoughtful guy.

51. djordan Posted: August 10, 2014 at 06:09 PM (#4768198)

Kellerman basically said bomb on a plane, which pretty much gets you a timeout from today's media landscape.

52. SoSHially Unacceptable Posted: August 10, 2014 at 06:10 PM (#4768199)

Now if somebody were to go on the air and say "What's so bad about Ray Rice, me and the wife used to slap each other around all the time, har har," that's a different story: though I stress that I have no indication Kellerman said anything like that. He may have been talking about a long-past problem in reflective and compassionate terms.

I suspect ESPN issued a blanket policy for all its on-air personnel to stay away from domestic violence subjects, which would seem to a significant problem for a media company. OTOH, due to the number of morons and meatheads the network employs in that capacity, individuals who can't be trusted to deliver a thoughtful approach on the subject, it wouldn't be the dumbest policy decision ever.

53. Jose is an Absurd Doubles Machine Posted: August 10, 2014 at 06:55 PM (#4768208)

the number of morons and meatheads the network employs

I think I know a way for ESPN to deal with their concerns about people saying dumb things.

54. tshipman

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 07:13 PM (#4768217)

I think I know a way for ESPN to deal with their concerns about people saying dumb things.

Whoa, whoa whoa. They don't want to eliminate all dumb things being said. You're threatening their business model with those kinds of comments.

Edit: And Skip Bayless's career!

55. Bhaakon Posted: August 10, 2014 at 07:13 PM (#4768219)

I think I know a way for ESPN to deal with their concerns about people saying dumb things.

Hire more concussion-addled NFL veterans who can barely manage to mumble and drool in the general direction of the camera?

56. LA Podcasting Hombre of Anaheim

Posted: August 10, 2014 at 07:17 PM (#4768224)

I think I know a way for ESPN to deal with their concerns about people saying dumb things.

Does it involve "vicarious political correctness"? Honestly, I'm still astonished by the phrase. It's the most empty, meaninglessly malleable argument I've ever read.

57. Cargo Cultist Posted: August 11, 2014 at 03:15 PM (#4768715)

Professor Linda Mills, who studied the subject in detail: "Studies now confirm that women initiate violence in 24 percent of cases in which the husbands don’t fight back, while men initiate violence in 27 percent of cases in which women don’t fight back. In the other 49 percent of cases, both partners actively participate in the violence."

58. pikepredator Posted: August 11, 2014 at 03:37 PM (#4768734)

I guess we could quibble about types of slaps, but it's certainly possible to hurt someone good when you attempt to slap them

you've got that right, especially with the retaliatory strike.

59. GGC Posted: August 11, 2014 at 07:07 PM (#4768937)

I imagine this is the case actually. Kellerman is a pretty thoughtful guy.

I expected some talk about Kellerman's friendliness to sabermetrics or other recent media suspensions (LeBatard and WEEI's Kirk Minihane.) You guys are disappointing me.

60. Bunny Vincennes Posted: August 11, 2014 at 08:09 PM (#4768971)

6. Lassus Posted: August 10, 2014 at 10:02 AM (#4767959)
Jason, WTF with this trolling. At least stick to baseball.

Hilarious, Lassus, you realize this is the site that repoz is an ordained king here and only spits political and steroid #### out of his mailbox because it pays Jim Furtado's bills.

There is more baseball content on the Huffington Post than there is here.

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Hollywood Reporter: ESPN Suspends Host for Domestic Abuse Story

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