ESPN suspends Dan Le Batard for LeBron billboard

[CF DolFan]

Not sure why he thought this would go over well with ESPN but two days isn't a huge deal.



att Wilhalme
L.A. Times
9:02 a.m. EDT, August 8, 2014

Don't troll LeBron James in Cleveland with billboards if you work for ESPN.

Dan Le Batard, a Miami Herald columnist and ESPN television and radio host, was suspended for two days after the “world-wide leader” learned he funded a billboard in the city saying “You’re welcome LeBron. Love Miami.”

“Dan Le Batard will be off the air for two days, returning Monday,” ESPN announced in a statement Thursday, according to USA Today. “His recent stunt does not reflect ESPN’s standards and brand. Additionally, we were not made aware of his plans in advance.”

James left Cleveland following the 2009-10 season, announcing that he would be joining the Miami Heat to pursue his first NBA title with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh in a heavily criticized TV special called “The Decision.”

James won back-to-back titles in Miami as the Heat made the NBA Finals each of his four years in South Beach.


He became a free agent again following last season’s defeat in the finals to the San Antonio Spurs and quietly, by comparison, announced his decision to return home to Cleveland to win a title for his hometown team.

[masterfins]

Yeah I don't get it.  ESPN commentators say much worse every day on air.  Pretty soon the janitor is going to be doing Sports Center because everyone else has been suspended.

[Phishfan]

I thought the billboard idea was incredibly funny.

[Cathal]

No idea why he's suspended over this.

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

This is ludicrous......it was funny and caused absolutely no harm to anyone.

No shock the network that slurps on LeBron's sack 24/365 would suspend one of their own for not doing the same!!!

[Dave Gray]

Yeah.  Dumb.  ESPN looks stupid, not really because of the suspension, but because they claim they didn't know.  Yet, LeBatard talked about it for 2 weeks on their syndicated radio show.

They probably could've just done nothing and nobody would've cared and they made it a bigger deal.  I don't think it's malicious.  Just funny and goofing on his own fanbase while trolling Cleveland (and they have Lebron, so who cares).  But now, everyone is comparing how swift and immediate this was compared to when hosts say terrible things on air and no action is taken quickly.

Oh well....LeBatard got his way -- made a name for himself, got a bunch of press for the billboard, and got suspended over 2 days where there are no important sports events.

[Fau Teixeira]

yeah .. lebatard came away way ahead here.

he got free publicity .. he got a 4 day weekend... he got people talking ... and now he's got stuff to talk about on monday when he comes back .. all for the price of 2 days of pay ..

[Brian Fein]

The billboard is pure gold.  Normally i don't like LeBatard, but this was funny.

ESPN needs to get off LeBron's jock and, oh i don't know, report on SPORTS maybe?

[Spider-Dan]

Not that I necessarily disagree, but a bunch of Heat fans saying that this was hilarious and no big deal is maybe not the best barometer of the situation.

[Dave Gray]

Maybe it's just me, but I think this ad is making fun of HEAT fans just as much as Cleveland fans or Lebron. 

[AZ Fins Fan 55]

Not a Heat fan......still isn't a big deal!!!!!

[MikeO]

No idea why he's suspended over this.

Because if ESPN pisses off Lebron....then at halftime, post games, and for just basic interviews Lebron will blacklist ESPN and never give them any access. He will never speak to them again for anything. ESPN can't risk having the most popular athlete in the world ignore them. So ESPN can't have one of their employees out there trolling Lebron and trying to piss him off.

[Cathal]

Not that I necessarily disagree, but a bunch of Heat fans saying that this was hilarious and no big deal is maybe not the best barometer of the situation.

Celtics fan here. 

[CF DolFan]

Because if ESPN pisses off Lebron....then at halftime, post games, and for just basic interviews Lebron will blacklist ESPN and never give them any access. He will never speak to them again for anything. ESPN can't risk having the most popular athlete in the world ignore them. So ESPN can't have one of their employees out there trolling Lebron and trying to piss him off.

That's what I see too. It may not be a big deal to most people but they (ESPN) always kiss the arse to whomever they need.  Just look at how they treat the NFL with kid gloves. This was their attempt to appease Labron. 

[MikeO]

That's what I see too. It may not be a big deal to most people but they (ESPN) always kiss the arse to whomever they need.  Just look at how they treat the NFL with kid gloves. This was their attempt to appease Labron. 

Michael Jordan hasn't spoke to Sports Illustrated in about 20 years. He holds a grudge for a story they did on him being a bad baseball player. ESPN can't risk that type of relationship with Lebron.