According to inside sources, ESPN has heard about enough of Keith Olbermann's insufferable ranting, requiring him to cut out all the commentary if he wants to re-sign with the network in August.
The Hollywood Reporter cites unnamed sources who have the inside scoop on the ensuing "tough negotiation":
ESPN and Keith Olbermann may be headed toward a tough negotiation to keep the outspoken host on the sports network. Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that ESPN has floated a highly problematic condition for an extension of Olbermann's initial two-year deal: that he cease engaging in “commentary” on his ESPN2 program.
THR surmises that the network's clamp down on commentary is a result of Olbermann's repeated calls for the head of Roger Goodell over his mishandling of the Ray Rice domestic abuse mess:
The issue likely stems from Olbermann's critical assessment of the NFL's handling of the Ray Rice domestic abuse scandal that exploded last summer when an elevator video of Rice punching then-fiancee Janay Palmer in the face surfaced after the NFL had imposed a slap-on-the-wrist, two game suspension on the Baltimore Ravens star running back. Olbermann repeatedly hammered NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. In a lengthy commentary at the top of his Aug. 1 broadcast, he called on the commissioner to “resign” after what Olbermann described as a “weak, damaging and almost enabling reaction” to the episode.
Of course, it is likely not just that one incident that has caused ESPN to rethink its hiring of a leftist blowhard as a "sports" commentator, but Olbermann's long track record of getting under viewers' (particularly conservatives') skin.In February the network suspended Olbermann for a "completely inappropriate" twitter exchange in which he insulted Penn State students (who were fundraising for pediatric cancer research). ESPN has consistently struggled to figure out how his particular brand of commentary fits into their programming:
There was some frustration with his initial 11 p.m. time slot on ESPN2. Because it was preceded by live sports, his show was frequently shifted to the wee hours. At one point, Olbermann was pre-empted for several nights for women's softball. But last September, ESPN permanently shifted Olbermann to 5 p.m.
Even if Olbermann is willing to sign the new deal, will he be able to restrain himself enough to produce commentary-free content? Evidence suggests not.
