Mel Bracht of the DAILY OKLAHOMAN reports today that ESPN sideline reporter Stacey Dales had quit the network because she “was unhappy with flying coach while many of her colleagues were flying first class.” (DEADSPIN first broke the news - and wasn’t credited by the Oklahoman.)
Dales had been with the network since 2002. She told Bracht, “At some point, you have to take a stand at whatever you are doing in life That’s not sounding like a feminist. That’s not sounding like a spoiled, rotten kid. That’s making a business decision that affects the quality of your life. That was an important thing for me.”
So is Dales implying that she’s being forced to fly coach because she’s a woman?
If that’s the case, why doesn’t she file a lawsuit against ESPN? Otherwise, she might’ve just committed career suicide. It’s one thing to quit a plum gig while at the apex of your career. It’s another to do so for what seems like a petty reason. And have it come out in public.
If you were hiring for sports broadcasting gigs, knowing what you know about the apparent reason for her departure at ESPN, would you be in a big hurry to hire Dales?
Obviously not.
(OK, maybe it isn’t that great a gig)
But if ESPN is truly discriminating against her because she’s a woman, Dales needs to come out and say it, and file a lawsuit. Otherwise she sounds like a petty narcissist who no self-respecting sports broadcast organization will want to hire in the future. Save one of the local yokel Okie sports outlets. (Dales played hoops at OU.)
Hope they have first class on Greyhound, Stace!
12:48 pm on February 13th, 2009
For a second, I read the headline as Stacey Dales quitting over a flying couch. Need to get my eyes checked.
12:50 pm on February 13th, 2009
Stacey certainly looks first class in that top photo.
1:08 pm on February 13th, 2009
I'm surprised ESPN isn't busing their employees to games. Wouldn't that save on money in these harsh economic times?
1:12 pm on February 13th, 2009
Some of us aren't lucky enough to even have a job, much less fly coach to one.
1:14 pm on February 13th, 2009
Less competition for Erin Andrews now.
1:18 pm on February 13th, 2009
I can see how it would bruise someone's ego.
1:20 pm on February 13th, 2009
I don't know who would want to hire her now. She sounds like a pain to deal with.
1:35 pm on February 13th, 2009
I thought that this was talking about Mangino's super powers, and that it is finally out the he can fly.
1:38 pm on February 13th, 2009
Of course she has to fly coach, the extra first class seat is for Erin Andrews added hottness.
Besides, if she dresses like her 2nd photo, she should be out on the wing.
1:39 pm on February 13th, 2009
Erin Andrews and Ric Bucher probably fly 1st class, but the real question is who has better hair?
2:07 pm on February 13th, 2009
Johnnie Utah:
If Mangino could fly, he would make an awesome Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloon.
2:09 pm on February 13th, 2009
So much for my chances of joining Stacey in the Mile High Club.
2:15 pm on February 13th, 2009
Stacey's just mad because she wasn't asked about her favorite Valentine's Day gifts, unlike a certain ESPN colleague.
3:04 pm on February 13th, 2009
She's right about one thing, it sure is a business decision that will affect her quality of life. And how.
4:56 pm on February 13th, 2009
Im sure ESPN is in crisis mode after Staceys departure. More like…Next ! Im sure there will be a line around the block of pretty blonde "reporters" that could care less if they fly coach or drive themselves to the games.
5:03 pm on February 13th, 2009
that sound in your earpiece, Stacey…..crickets chirping……get used to it.
6:53 pm on February 13th, 2009
I'm sure Stacy is crushed you dateless wonders (who are probably in your 30's and still living with your parents) are hazing her. While sideline reporters are useless, ESPN, the paragon of Political Correctness, shouldn't have multiple sets of rules based on star power. Their typical hypocrisy shines through again.
7:21 pm on February 13th, 2009
Didn't she go by Stacey Dales Schuman during her ESPN career?
7:25 pm on February 13th, 2009
It's not a multiple set of rules. Are you saying they should all make the same amount too? Stuff like this is covered in talents' contracts. ESPN needs to account for the added cost of first class as part of the deal with their talent. They obviously didn't feel she was worth the additional expense.
12:40 pm on February 14th, 2009
I'd do her
12:41 pm on February 14th, 2009
BrooksBigForehead gives gr8 head
12:41 pm on February 14th, 2009
you know it bro
12:05 am on February 15th, 2009
well since she's done with ESPN maybe Hef will make her an offer….a guy can dream can't he?
1:44 pm on February 15th, 2009
She wont be missed at all. Kinda reminds me of Husker season ticket holders. Somebody gets mad that they have to donate now, so they non renew, with only about 20,000 people waiting in line to take their place.
6:16 pm on February 15th, 2009
Since other colleagues were in first class and she was in coach, it sounds like someone was trying to teach her a lesson and probably get her to do something she had no interest in doing. As far as a potential lawsuit, it's going to depend on how long it takes her to get another job. If quitting does effect her job hunt she'll probably lawyer up. I anticipate that NBC or Fox will pick her up though.
3:08 pm on February 17th, 2009
I always found ESPN reporter Heather Cox pretty hot. And her last name is "Cox"! What a funny double-entendre!
4:36 pm on February 24th, 2009
i find it weird that the writer of this blog keeps going the route of thinking that Stacey is implying she is being fired because she is a female. I dont get that from her quote at all and havent seen other sites bring that point up.