ESPN is not listening to viewers, despite them dropping the network like a hot iron. In new guidelines released online, the failing sports network promises to continue mixing politics and sports “whenever possible.”

The network’s public editor, Jim Brady, released the following statement:

ESPN has issued new political and election guidelines for its employees that, while allowing for political discussion on the network’s platforms, recommend connecting those comments to sports whenever possible. The new policies also provide separate guidelines for ESPN staffers working on news and those engaging in commentary.

The timing of the release of the election guidelines is a bit unusual -- such guidelines are rarely released right after a presidential election; they’re usually updated near the beginning of a presidential campaign. But we are living in unique political times, which ESPN apparently recognized, which explains the revised guidelines for discussion of political and social issues.

ESPN’s vice president of global digital content Patrick Stiegman said as chairman of the editorial board that the current political climate was a good time to review guidelines and add new ones. Other top executives at the network agreed and said, “People are talking about politics… and we’re not immune from that.”

However, ESPN’s leftist ramblings about Black Lives Matter and Caitlin Jenner has alienated viewers and cost conservative commentators their jobs for not bending to the network’s political agenda — an agenda they claim not to have.

But just read one highlight from the new guidelines, and you decide if that's true:

“Outside of ‘hard’ news reporting, commentary related to political or social issues, candidates or office holders is appropriate on ESPN platforms consistent with these guidelines.”

This is meaningful because, unlike the company’s previous policy, it states that commentary on political and social issues is OK. The previous policy not only didn’t say that but also conveyed a tone that suggested that dipping into political waters carried more danger than reward. Put another way, the new policy has gone from “It’s dangerous out there, so probably best to stay home” to “It’s dangerous out there, so here are some tools to best keep you safe.”

“It’s a more positive, proactive stance,” Bengtson said. “If there’s a good reason to be discussing [politics], here’s how we can best help you do that to best help our audience.”

ESPN’s vice president Craig Bengtson also said, “I don’t think people are turning us on to hear us talk about social and political issues. When we can make a connection with sports, we should do so and do it smartly.”

Tone deaf, much?

“These changes appear to be designed to remind employees of ESPN’s invaluable and lucrative connection to sports while also acknowledging -- rightfully, in my opinion -- that sports, culture and politics overlap in ways that cannot be ignored,” Brady added.

So, for those of you who want to unwind after a hard days work and turn off the world and enjoy sports, you can forget it. You're going to get a 90 mph fascist ball and a hope-and-change-up pitch.