ESPN issued a statement to me today about Tony Kornheiser’s recent comments about Hannah Storm’s wardrobe on ESPN Radio in D.C.. From Norby Williamson, ESPN Executive Vice President, Production:
“Hannah is a consummate professional and one of ESPN’s most respected voices. The comments were totally inappropriate, which Tony recognized. He apologized to Hannah and addressed it on his radio show. We are in the process of reviewing the entire situation. “
On his ESPN Radio show in D.C. today, Kornheiser noted that he called Storm yesterday and apologized for his comments.
Kornheiser on what he said to Storm:
“I apologize unequivocally. … I was wrong. This is sort of what I do, and I’m sorry for it. … Not the first time and won’t be the last time but I apology for it this time.“
After relating what he said to Storm, Kornheiser said she was “cordial” in her response to his apology. He also noted that Storm was sending a pair of boots that she wore on SportsCenter to the P.T.I. show to auction of for charity. (Great idea, actually.)
While admirable to apologize to Storm directly first, it was also a very deft move by Kornheiser to lead off his show today with his story of his apology to her. (Storm did tell Kornheiser it was okay to do so.) Clearly it was a move by Kornheiser to induce sympathy from his audience.
Later in the segment Kornheiser continued to make hollow excuses for what he said, which was inappropriate. He needed to apologize to Storm and move on. I know he was just launching into his “vulnerable, insecure Tony,” schtick, but that wasn’t the proper context for it.
I talked to several on and off-air ESPN employees yesterday about Kornheiser. Two said that had Kornheiser said what he said about Storm off-air in the ESPN offices, he would’ve been legitimately punished. But he essentially got a pass because he could couch his comments as his on-air act.
Williamson noted in his statement to me that ESPN is continuing to “review” the situation. Multiple sources told me yesterday that Kornheiser’s contract is up for renewal, so we’ll see if this incident has an impact on those negotiations.
Thanks to his role on P.T.I., somehow I doubt it.
4:09 pm on February 19th, 2010
$20 for the gogo boots
4:23 pm on February 19th, 2010
jesus, brooks. i don’t know where you get off with this whole holier-than-thou crap. Kornheiser is an abrasive knuckle-head and these kind of comments are exactly why people listen to him. Quit trying to ruin the guy’s career just because you’re stuck running a tabloid blog.
4:33 pm on February 19th, 2010
who cares? He made a joke about her clothes. He made the mistake of doing it on-air. He apologized. She accepted it. Who are you to say what’s right or wrong about the situation? Why does everyone love melodrama?
4:36 pm on February 19th, 2010
you dont say that kind of thing about a woman esp. if its not joking and she’s not there. couldnt believe he did that.
4:39 pm on February 19th, 2010
Kornheiser is a suck ass sissy man who shouldn’t even nbe near sports. he should be running a dellie in NY!!!
4:48 pm on February 19th, 2010
Why apologize in the first place? Can’t give your opinion about someone’s clothes? Wow. Long live Mr. Tony
5:07 pm on February 19th, 2010
I think that Hannah’s bony ass would fit right on my frontal pelvic region.
5:19 pm on February 19th, 2010
Kornheiser must be so addicted to viagra, that when he runs out, he loses all traces of testosterone in his system. Hannah is a babe. It’s kind of like people who get addicted to anti-depressants who end up suicidal when the neuro-transmitters are no longer engaged by the drug. Kornheiser has lost it for women..he proved that with his comments. Who doesn’t want to see Hannah Storm in boots? How could you be that much of a non-man?
5:19 pm on February 19th, 2010
Yet they continue to allow Jemele Hill to make inappropriate comment after inappropriate comment and they do nothing.
ESPN’s value system is so incredibly messed up. Mike Tirico’s okay, but Dennis Horgan is not. Jemele Hill is okay, but Tony Kornheiser is not. They can discuss Ben Roethlisberger’s legal troubles, but not Erin Andrews’.
Unreal.
6:21 pm on February 19th, 2010
Kornheiser is such a petty pr—. Not Hannah’s fault he’s a lecher. Who in the HELL is HE to criticize her APPEARANCE?
His wrapround is longer than an Amazon boa constrictor.
Human ham&cheese sandwich.
8:07 pm on February 19th, 2010
I heard Dan Hicks wants to kick his ass.
8:53 pm on February 19th, 2010
I DEMAND AN APOLOGY!!!!!
I don’t know for what but we seem to demand a f***ing apology every 10 minutes for something in this country. Can anyone pinpoint the exact time and date when this country lost it’s spine and became the land of 300M overly-sensitive pussy’s?
10:09 pm on February 19th, 2010
I listen to him every day. A breath of fresh air. Not sure what the big deal is. So he made a comment about a colleagues clothes and apologized but said he’s not good at keeping his mouth shut about stuff he thinks. I’m the same way. I don’t have a lot of friends because of it. Boy we are bored as a nation. It’s really starting to show in everything.
12:54 am on February 20th, 2010
Hey Jason,
I guess you’re not a pussy just because of your rant? Maybe overcompensating? No one has to apologize, though. You’re right. WHEN THEY DON’T ACT LIKE AN ASSHOLE. Then it’s okay to not apologize. You say it like people are apologizing for walking down the street. Kornheiser insulted a woman’s looks. That’s as petty as it gets. I knew that was b.s. way back in kindergarten. A man should never belittle a woman’s appearance or vice-versa just to pass time. It’s pure low class behavior but you’re too much of an ape to know that.
1:53 am on February 20th, 2010
Seriously, what a non-story. Must have been an incredibly slow news day. I feel sorry for Tony.
4:27 am on February 20th, 2010
Tony Whineheiser,
I don’t care what they say. Some of D.C.’s best Conservative Congressmen still maintain you look better in a mini-skirt and go-go boots that Hannah Storm.
No one, short of Frederic “Some Democrat Kicked The Shit Out of” U. Dicker at the New York Post in Albany, N.Y., shines in a mini-skirt and go-go boots like you do, Tony Whineheiser.
Love,
Your friends at CPAC
8:26 am on February 20th, 2010
I listen to the TK show regularly. As some posters have noted–and I agree–it’s an entertaining show. Tony is very good on the radio and on PTI. However, having said that, the one thing I can’t stand about the radio show is that Tony regularly launches vicious insults against people he has never met before. Hannah Storm is only the latest victim. In past few weeks, Tony essentially called local TV anchorwoman Kimberly Suters (sp?) white trash and said she should be fired for wearing clothing he did not deem acceptable for television. He also called Kathy Lee Gifford a fat troll. These are just three examples–there are many more.
Part of Tony’s charm is that he is indeed a surly, insecure curmudgeon. And that shtick can be pretty funny. In my opinion, his attacks against people HE ACTUALLY KNOWS and has a legitimate beef with–like Mike Wise of the Washington Post–are legitimate and highly entertaining. But TK should stay away from low-rent attacks against people he does not know.
9:53 am on February 20th, 2010
Kathy Lee Gifford may not be fat, but she is a self-righteous troll. Wht do you think her husband was out there boinking other women.
Jeez, when Regis Philbin doesn’t like you, and he likes almost everybody, then the problem is with you.
10:01 am on February 20th, 2010
Still no pictures of the boots? How do I know if they are worth buying?
12:00 pm on February 20th, 2010
She can apologize for changing her name from Storen…
12:40 pm on February 20th, 2010
He was a WASTE on MONDAY NITE FOOTBALL,his PROGRAM now is getting OLD!. Send him PACKING to do LATE NIGHT JR. HIGH POST on FRIDAY NITE. HE’S NOT FUNNY ANYMORE!
3:10 pm on February 20th, 2010
Not sure what the big deal is and why anyone was/is upset. She does dress like a hooker and it was only a matter of time before somebody made a comment.
My wife, who by the way hates Sports Center, laughs at her outfits whenever SC is on. I have no fashion sense whatsoever and even I know her outfits are HIDEOUS!
Just wondering why a 40+ professional female would want to dress in outfits that looked like they were stolen from the original Batman series. Yes I am talking about the Adam West Batman series!
Whoever is in charge of wardrobe at ESPN should be fired, demoted, or at least suspended for not intervening. It is obvious Hanna Storm has a “lack of fashion” addiction and needs help.
Perhaps an ESPN group intervention is needed. This would make for great reality television. I know I would watch.
8:35 pm on February 20th, 2010
truthurts and self-hater’s like tony k. are the only ppl who would kill hannah. she’s a mega cougar and a big reason why i watch morning SC.
2:50 pm on February 21st, 2010
Tony K is a great commentator and I enjoy his work. shouldn’t have said what he said, but he apologized, she accepted, and let’s move on…we seem to be living in a wold where everything said, done, implied, even thought about, is up to scrutiny..gimme a break!
7:30 am on February 23rd, 2010
Brooks you could make an argument between siblings over the last cookie seem more dramatic than the 9-11 terrorist story.
12:39 pm on February 23rd, 2010
I guess Reggie Miller and Marv Albert will now need to issue an apology to Craig Sager after every telecast.
10:44 pm on February 23rd, 2010
Here’s the outfit with the red suede boots!
http://thebiglead.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Hannah-Storm-SportsCenter-outfit.jpg
6:26 pm on February 25th, 2010
Two said that had Kornheiser said what he said about Storm off-air in the ESPN offices…
Man that’s some sharp writing there.
11:53 pm on February 26th, 2010
Tony has been pretending to be a sports commentator for too long…………..don’t renew his contract. We have all had enough of his attempts to be funny by attacking others. He obviously thinks he’s funny but his garbage humor and lack of sports knowledge bombed him out of Monday NIght Football.
Kornheiser, Go buy a Subway and try your humor on customers and see how long the business stays open.