Britt McHenry’s ESPN suspension lifted after one week: does it matter?

britt1

A week ago, we were discussing the awful viral video of ESPN reporter Britt McHenry bitching out a tow truck operator. Britt’s car had been towed in Arlington, Virginia, and as she went about paying the fine or whatever, she threw out some really tacky, classless and offensive insults at the woman behind the counter at the tow truck place. The video spread for about 24-36 hours before ESPN finally suspended McHenry. Her suspension? Just one week. And now she’s back at her job.

ESPN reporter Britt McHenry will return to television this weekend after a video showing her berating a parking attendant made waves on the Internet last week. ESPN senior coordinating producer Seth Markman confirmed to Sports Illustrated that McHenry will continue her role as reporter at NFL games on most weekends, adding that she will be in St. Louis next Thursday for the NFL draft.

“She’s had the draft assignment for a while and nothing’s changed,” Markman said.

McHenry was less than thrilled when her car was towed on April 6, taking out her anger in a profane tirade on a parking lot attendant – all of which was captured on video and posted to the Internet. “Maybe if I was missing some teeth, they would hire me, huh?” she says in the video, adding: “Lose some weight, baby girl.”

Markman says he realizes that some people won’t be happy to see McHenry on ESPN once again. “We had a conversation where we both talked about that it would take time and it will be hard. She knows that, and especially at the beginning. She realizes she will have to do her job really well and hopefully win back some of the trust of our viewers. We expect that from her, and I expect that from her. She did a great job for us on the NFL last year in some difficult situations and I have seen nothing that doesn’t make me think she will rebound from this,” he concluded. “But she knows the first couple of assignments out of the box will not be easy.”

[From People]

While I found McHenry’s tirade against a blue-collar worker to be offensive, elitist, bitchy and contemptible, I also took issue with the idea that ESPN would suspend a reporter over something reprehensible (but not illegal) that they did in their free time. I think we’d all like to see the full tape of the incident, as opposed to the edited version the tow truck company released. I’m not saying there’s even an “excuse” to speak to someone the way McHenry spoke to that woman, but it’s possible there was a give and take of insults and it wasn’t so one-sided. In any case, I don’t really care that McHenry is back on the job, but I do wonder if she’s going to have that job for much longer. Deadspin reported last week that McHenry does have a history of extreme acts of rudeness.

Here’s the video again (NSFW language).

britt2

Photos courtesy of McHenry’s Twitter.

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

54 Responses to “Britt McHenry’s ESPN suspension lifted after one week: does it matter?”

Comments are Closed

We close comments on older posts to fight comment spam.

  1. unmade_bed says:

    Nothing matters regarding ESPN, because SPORTS.

  2. Alexi says:

    SHE SHOULD BE GONE.

    • Pandy says:

      Absolutely. What a representative for the NFL brand. If we talk about suspending a Ray Rice for beating his wife (in his private life) – why would we give this woman a pass on what she’s done?

    • MrsNix says:

      Yes. This. I am appalled she wasn’t fired. You can’t tell me there aren’t other qualified people who would be better representatives of ESPN to do that job. Being a jerk isn’t a fireable offense, but being a brazen enough jerk that you finally do something on camera at the LEVEL she did…this wasn’t someone snapping at a waitress on a bad day whilst drunk. This was something entirely illustrative of the woman’s character, and it appalled the base audience for ESPN.

  3. taterho says:

    They should punish her by making her finish the Avengers press tour.

    Honestly I don’t think she should be fired over it, but it was just so ridiculously offensive.

  4. aims says:

    What an ugly human being she is, from her core. I know there are people like her in the world, but not my world, so she’s shocking to me. I don’t watch ESPN, but with their “talent.” It won’t be happening anytime soon.

    • doofus says:

      I agree with your assessment of her, because NO ONE acts like she did only one time in their lives.

      the way she spoke those ugly things, in a very calm, even tone and not all angry with arms flailing and a raised voice tells me this is NOT her first time talking to someone in this manner, and she’s likely done this her whole life.

    • fhassdddw says:

      Punish her by making her appear on-air without makeup. She’s rather homely without it.

      • Sabrine says:

        I think she should have another chance. She’s young. She made a mistake and I would hope has learned from this one. I don’t think her whole life should be ruined for one slip-up. I hope they don’t fire her.

  5. Delta Juliet says:

    Obviously I wasn’t there but I find it hard to believe there was a give and take of insults. I work in the type of office where people regularly come in just to bitch, complain, insult, or vent at someone, etc. And I can’t just give it back.

    I guess if you don’t work with the public you may not realize it, but people treat each other horribly and for no reason.

    • Rachel says:

      Word. There are days where all I get is vile hatred spewed at me all day long, but I can’t respond in kind. I have to keep my cool.

    • Kate says:

      Well maybe in your case, but this time you’re wrong. The tapes were edited the woman was hurling insults at Brit. Not that what Brit said was right, but that tape was absolutely edited.

      • doofus says:

        where have you seen the entire tape? is it available somewhere?

      • Tifygodess says:

        @kate awfully bold statement to a say “No you are wrong”. I mean really? Who the heck are you? I’m assuming you must have been there? Hmmm? No where did Delta even say the tape wasn’t edited or whatever you are yelling about. There was nothing ” wrong ” in Deltas comment. It’s her opinion. #FanGirlAlert

    • anniefannie says:

      I’m with you Delta Juliet. In fact it appeared to me that the comments escalated BECAUSE she wasn’t getting under the women’s skin. I’m rarely of the ilk, one shot your out…but in this case I’d be happy to make an exception.

    • Tifygodess says:

      @delta x a million !!!
      People who haven’t work directly with the public have no idea how horrible people can be. The minute someone doesn’t get their way they usually lose it. They don’t care what they say or who they hurt they just want you to know how wronged they have been. This happens more often than not.

    • noway says:

      The only part I heard unedited makes a bit of difference in the meaning of one part of the conversation. It also makes you see how easy it is to edit video to make the conversation have a different connotation.

      The part was where McHenry seemed to be preening that she works in the news and that makes her special. What was said was “I work in news and know that you have tons of lawsuits against you.” The “know that you have tons of lawsuits against you” was edited out. Kind of changes the meaning from I’m special because I work in the news to I know about your company’s problems. Although, I am still sure some on here won’t see it that way.

      I feel like Kaiser about this. I am sure there was some give and take to the conversation though that wouldn’t excuse her. I would love to hear the whole video unedited, but that won’t happen, and I also find it hard to understand an edited video about something that has nothing to do with your work could get you suspended from your job.

      Mostly, I am kind of dumbfounded from the comments on the gossip websites. Do people read the comments some of them are equally as obnoxious, mean, and contemptible. I mentioned this on one site, and the response I got was but McHenry deserved it. Really do as I say not as I do I guess.

  6. Cricket says:

    Instead of wasting time on a story about psycho Barbie, why not applaud the four hot Swedish ‘tourists’ police officers who took action on a fight on a subway train on their way to see Les Miserables? Now that’s a great story for a Friday! 🙂

  7. runCMC says:

    Actually I got the vibe that the tape was edited to make it look like McHenry was just a cruel bully. Almost all of what she said sounded like a direct response/defense to whatever the tow truck attendant was saying to her…

    I mean, it doesn’t excuse her for being nasty and cruel, but I don’t buy that she just went off for no reason. The tape looks purposefully edited to make her look like the aggressor when her words don’t really back that up.

  8. Audrey says:

    I read that she’ll be phased out but who knows

    espn is awful

  9. Josie says:

    She should be hired by Faux News, perfect fit for both.

  10. Rachel says:

    I have to disagree, Kaiser. There have been many stories on here about “celebrities” branding themselves. As a reporter, she isn’t just a private individual who can be a jerk or do whatever she wants in her private life. The network hired her based on her brand, and they’ve invested in her to help cultivate that brand. She has a responsibility not to act in a way to tarnish it. Even when she’s off the clock. I think the network would be completely justified in firing her if they feel like she’s done irreparable damage to her image. That’s what she’s selling. An image. There are scores of people out there who could report on sports – just as well, if not better, than she can – but she was hired because of her image, and she knows it. She built it. And she’s the one who tore it down.

    • Kaiser says:

      I see your point about branding as a TV reporter, and if this was some bigger name media figure, I think I would feel differently. But my feeling is that most people had zero clue who Britt McHenry was before this incident. It’s like suspending some minor local weatherman because he lost his temper in a private incident.

      • genevieve says:

        To me, the branding that matters is the network’s. If I were ESPN, I’d be seriously ticked that this nonentity was making herself infamous, and always in the same sentence as the network name. It’s not just her image, it’s theirs.

      • doofus says:

        genevieve, you make a good point, and part of Kaiser’s post is why I agree.

        as Kaiser said, most people had zero clue who she was before this. and now, this is ALL they know of her. HER brand wasn’t necessarily damaged, but I think that ESPN’s was. if it were a weatherman on a local or even regional channel, I wouldn’t think he/she should be fired, but ESPN is a national (international?) channel. it matters.

      • noway says:

        I agree with Kaiser completely on this. I also think that most of the people commenting on ESPN’s brand here are not their target audience, and while they may feel the brand is hurt the people who are their bread and butter don’t care. Mainly, men 18-49, and really she was hired because she looks good and can talk sports somewhat or at least to the executives who hired her.

        The proof on this is the NFL, and the brand that was so detrimentally damaged by the Ray Rice Scandal. The 2014/15 NFL season had one of its most successful seasons ever, in ratings, attendance and just profit in general. No one cared enough to hurt them in their pocketbook. They may have suspended Ray Rice, but he will be back this year somewhere. I bet the first game he is back there will be protests, but if he plays well that will totally go away too.

        I also bet ESPN’s ratings will be up as soon as she comes back too.

  11. Lilacflowers says:

    Five days is a long suspension, especially for off-duty conduct that was not illegal. Depending on her contract, a longer one could cause the network legal problems if she has had no prior discipline. People can choose not to watch her

    • genevieve says:

      “People can choose not to watch her” – all the more reason for ESPN to care. If people avoid her, the time they’re not watching her is time their advertisers lose audience members. You think that’s not ESPN’s business?

  12. briargal says:

    So ESPN says a week suspension–then allows her back before the week is over–does that mean noone will believe anything ESPN says in the future?? Sounds like the parent who “disciplines” his/her child with taking away privileges (TV, gaming etc) for a specified period of time and then five minutes later allows said child to watch TV or play games. No repercussions for whatever offense the child committed. What a weak network. She should have been fired. Or made to go on TV without her makeup and with her hair undone. What a blonde bimbo–(sorry to other blondes who do have some intelligence and caring for other people!) I get the feeling that the ONLY reason ESPN hired her is because of her looks. So shallow!

  13. Jess says:

    I think she should’ve been fired. I can’t think of any reason to ever speak to someone that way, and I can’t imagine a scenario where the tow company worker would’ve started this or given her a reason had she simply gone in and paid the fine. Plus her ridiculous “apology” tells me she didn’t learn any lesson from this, but she’s a pretty girl on tv and I’m sure that’s all she cares about.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      I agree. I don’t care what the tow truck woman said to her. To ridicule someone’s lack of education, looks, lack of money for dental work, weight, and all the rest is cruel and inexcusable. It wasn’t illegal, but it says volumes about the kind of person she is, and I wouldn’t have her working for me.

      • briargal says:

        Me neither. She has all the tact of a snarling wolverine. Stinky and mean.

      • doofus says:

        “It wasn’t illegal, but it says volumes about the kind of person she is”

        this is related to the point I made above…her demeanor while she says those things is that of someone who speaks to people in that way regularly. clearly not her first (or even second/third) time. she was calm and methodical in her abusive words.

  14. boredblond says:

    Wonder if she’s ever told linebacker he’s stupid and to lose weight..nah, a bully just picks on nobodies. She got a week’s vacation for being a bitch.

    • Lilacflowers says:

      Suspensions are without pay and factor into promotions, pay raises, and leave time accruals.

  15. claire says:

    No it doesn’t matter that she’s back. She got suspended, punished and now is back. It’s fine.
    I really hate this phenomenon of the world today where if someone says something offensive like this, they should be completely ruined. Forever sullied, fired, unhireable, completely destroyed. With social media and the way stories can spread, we’ve turned into this bloodthirsty bystander from hell. She got worldwide-shamed, is that not enough for people? Put it in perspective, and what she did was talk rudely to someone. Her life shouldn’t be destroyed for that.

    • briargal says:

      Normally you and I agree on other things but on this…I would only agree IF she learned anything from it. I hope she has but she really didn’t apologize very well and I really believe that she thinks that she IS better than other people because…. well, she is on TV you know. Did she get the job because of her looks?? Anyone can read sports scores/stories on TV and anyone can interview sports personalities. ESPN should have at least stuck to the one week suspension. She knows now that ESPN doesn’t follow through on what they say.

      • claire says:

        @briargal: haha! No worries! We definitely all have a different perspective on this. I just have become more sensitive and aware to how ‘justice’ has played out for these types of situations. I read this interesting article by the NYT, and, in no way, am I approving of the transgressions of these people, but…the article really spoke to a lot of what’s been bothering me about the pitchfork mentality that I feel is getting really out of hand, but also just caused me to put some of this stuff into perspective. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/15/magazine/how-one-stupid-tweet-ruined-justine-saccos-life.html

        To your comment: At this point, we really don’t know if she’s learned or not. We’re not inside her head. We don’t know if as time has passed this week and she’s had time to reflect, if her thought patterns and behavior patterns have taken a turn towards contrition and change. She’ll have to prove that. And she’ll have to get that chance. If not, then she’ll repeat the mistake and whatever happens, happens. But she should get the chance. In the overall scheme of things, I think the punishment fits the crime here.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      I sort of hear you about mob mentality and ganging up. That makes me uncomfortable, too. But she was more than just rude. We’ve all been rude and, if we’re good people, regretted it. But she said things to that woman that were calculated to make her feel inferior, stupid, ugly, poor and uneducated, all for things she can’t help. For a pretty, privileged woman to just go for the most vulnerable and hurtful places in a person’s self esteem goes beyond rudeness to me. I don’t think her life needs to be destroyed, but in think it would be better for HER if there were some consequences for her actions. Maybe it would make her examine the kind of person she has become.

      • Aubrey says:

        I couldn’t have said this better myself @GNAT

        As someone who works in the media (on air radio), it is my responsibility to act as though I represent the station at all times. It doesn’t matter if I’m off, it doesn’t matter if the person I speak to even knows who I am. If I was caught speaking to anyone like that, even if I was retaliating, I would be in serious trouble with my workplace. For someone who thinks she is some special little snowflake due to her being on TV, she isn’t very bright.

      • Montrealise says:

        @Aubry – from what I’ve read elsewhere, she thought she was a special little snowflake and better than other people long before she landed the TV job.

      • dj says:

        I agree. What I cannot forget (and gives the most context for me) is the way she looked up at the camera. She did not look contrite or embarrasseed or stopped her scolding but continued in spite of being on camera which I interpret as behavior she does not believe to be wrong! Just remember pretty is but for a little while but her ugly personalty goes to the bone.

      • Itsa Reallyme says:

        @aubrey, I couldn’t agree with you more! I also have had a career where I was expected to be an upstanding citizen in the community. At all times. I also lived in a community where a Supt. of Schools was caught shoplifting. He claimed it was accidental (and I tended to believe him) but he was still fired because of the expectation that he behave in a way that would draw NO negative attenion.

        How a person conducts themselves is important all the time, not just while you’re on the clock. That excuse is cockamamie! So, people should just pretend to be good people for 8 hours a day and then it’s fine for them to be horrible human beings the other 16? Have we no integrity anymore?

  16. OTHER RENEE says:

    I’ve been in situations where I’ve been extremely angry with someone in a customer service position and I’ve probably been very rude on occasion. HOWEVER, I have NEVER degraded another human being on a PERSONAL level, never attacked their appearance, lack of education, etc. That is wrong on every level. Like that episode of 30 Rock with Jon Hamm, this woman lives in a bubble and likely had way too many free passes for being attractive. I’m not saying she should be destroyed forever, but there needs to be more than just a few days at home which is basically just a slap on the wrist.

  17. potatopie says:

    We are becoming a society that is too tolerant of people behaving badly. Sadly, a lot of the “bad behavior” is for attention reasons (as in reality tv) and a lot of it is because people can just get away with it. I hope that manners are not becoming a “thing of the past”!

  18. anne_000 says:

    I read about another incident in which McHenry called another woman untalented or unattractive when the twitter conversation wasn’t even about her. It seems to be her pattern.

    As for what might be in the entire tow truck video, I doubt that the clerk was involved in much of a give-and-take insult competition with McHenry. McHenry doesn’t say anything about being offended by anything the clerk says. Even McHenry herself has never mentioned that there was a give-and-take and that the video was severely edited in the favor of the tow truck counter clerk. If it was, I’m sure Big Mouth, Short-tempered, I can say anything I want McHenry would have said so by now.

    I hope her viewers know what she thinks of them, i.e. working class people who haven’t been cosmetically changed to look TV perfect.

  19. Cleo says:

    Who cares if it will be ‘hard for her at first’ to go back to work? No one.

    Awww poor abusive baby bully Britt.

  20. KelT says:

    Ugh, using her “position” to try to intimidate someone. Ridiculous. What’s in the heart comes out of the mouth, and hers is hateful.

  21. Itsa Reallyme says:

    It seems like her boss, Seth Markman, is only concerned about how things will be for HER when she gets back to work. She did something very wrong. She’s shown the world who she really is. I can’t understand how she still has a job that requires her to be up in front and noticeable. I wouldn’t want her representing my company.
    In my opinion, this one week suspension was just to get people off their backs. They obviously really don’t care about the character of the people they hire.