ESPN Sexism: Ron Franklin's Sexist Remarks Say Women Broadcasters Still Face Discrimination

Ron Franklin helped prove before the Chick-fil-A Bowl on Friday that sexism is alive and well at ESPN. The long-time announcer told sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards, "Why don't you leave this to the boys, sweetcakes," when she was trying to join a conversation amongst colleagues at a pre-game production meeting. When she voiced her resentment for the comment, Franklin said, "Okay, then A**hole." After Edwards reported the incident to ESPN management, Franklin was pulled off air for his next game.

The Franklin and Edwards spat has joined a few other incidents that are amongst the most memorable moments of sexism in broadcast history.

Chris Matthews on Hillary Clinton

When it comes to sexist remarks on-air, Chris Matthews of MSNBC's "Hardball with Chris Matthews " is an established veteran. Here are Matthew's thoughts of how Hillary Clinton became a U.S. senator.

"The reason she's a U.S. senator, the reason she's a candidate for president, the reason she may be a front-runner is her husband messed around."

Letters addressing the ongoing sexism by Matthews was protested the next day at the NBC office in Washington, D.C..

Matthews later apologized on-air. Although he is still often accused of sexism, his show still goes on.

Keith Hernandez & "the girl"

There's a kitchen, and then there is a baseball dugout. Quick ladies: Which one don't you belong in? Before you go saying something like, whichever one you please, maybe you should check with a certain New York Mets gold-glover. The former pro baseball player garnered all of about zero female fans when he let his opinion fly on the San Diego Padres ' massage therapist Kelly Calabrese being in the dugout. After seeing her congratulate Mike Piazza on his home run, Hernandez had this to say

"Who's the girl in the dugout with the long hair? What's going on here? You gotta' be kidding me."

For anybody who thought that could be a one-time blunder, he added to it a couple minutes later:

"I won't say women belong in the kitchen, but they don't belong in the dugout."

Hernandez later apologized to Calabrese, and other than catching flack from pretty much all women, the media and even baseball insiders, he got off with a slap on the wrist.

Tony Kornheiser takes on Storm

Of Hannah Storm's outfit on Monday Night Football, he said while on-air:

"Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today. She's got on red go-go boots and a catholic school plaid skirt...way too short for somebody in her 40's, or maybe early 50s by now. She's got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body. I know she's very good, and I'm not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won't, but Hannah Storm, come on now! Stop! What are you doing? She's what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point."

Kornheiser was suspended for two weeks for his not-so-high praise of Hannah's wardrobe.

Future punishment

Franklin did not just suggest sexism; he bordered on sexual harassment by calling Jeannine Edwards "sweetcakes." Franklin's situation is very close to the one Kornheiser roped himself into, and what Franklin doesn't have going for him that Kornheiser does is a hit show. Even with Kornheiser's statements being way harsher, ESPN could view Franklin as much more replaceable. Instead of a slap on the wrist like past broadcasters have received, Franklin will more than likely be made an example of and be fired.

Sources

CBS News

The Washington Post

SignOnSanDiego.com

The Huffington Post