Bristol sports programmer ESPN pulled announcer Ron Franklin from its radio coverage of last Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl matchup between UConn and the University of Oklahoma after he reportedly berated a female colleague, The Associated Press reports.
Sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards wrote in an e-mail to USA Today in response to Internet reports that Franklin called her “sweet baby” in a condescending tone Friday. When she objected, he used a derogatory term. Edwards said a colleague reported the incident to ESPN officials.
Franklin said in a statement released by the network: “I said some things I shouldn’t have and am sorry. I deserved to be taken off the Fiesta Bowl.”
ESPN, which is owned by The Walt Disney Co., said in a statement that “adhering to our personal conduct policies and showing respect for colleagues are of the utmost importance to our company.”
