Magnus has elevated personalities who provide a more positive, fan-focused perspective on sports, from Pat McAfee and Peter Schrager to Josh Pate and Jason McCourty.The network parted ways with several commentators and declined to renew the contracts of others who frequently generated headlines for comments critics considered toxic or political, including Ryan Clark, Mark Jones, Clinton Yates, Sarah Spain and Max Kellerman.Magnus's actions sent a message to current and future employees.Self-serving commentary and social media activity that undermine the company's reputation are no longer tolerated.Viewers have noticed.
Nearly every one of ESPN’s daily studio shows has gained viewership year over year.For that, Magnus deserves credit.DAN LE BATARD THINKS THERE ARE TOO MANY WHITE NFL ANALYSTS, DESPITE THE RACIAL MAKEUP OF HIS OWN COMPANYAnd yet, his latest decision undermines his own edict, suggesting to employees that the very behavior he has spent the past two years eliminating is again welcome.On Thursday, ESPN announced that it had rehired Stan Verrett to host a daily show on its sister network, NFL Network.
Sources tell OutKick that Magnus and executive Mike McQuade chose Verrett for the role.ESPN anchor Stan Verrett appears during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the Washington Huskies and the Alabama Crimson Tide on Dec.31, 2017, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.
Alabama defeated Washington 24-7.(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)The move is notable because ESPN did not renew Verrett’s contract last year.
Verrett claimed the departure was his decision.Sources have told OutKick otherwise.
Either way, ESPN is bringing him back despite knowing how he conducted himself during his previous tenure.Perhaps no recent ESPN employee behaved less professionally on social media than Verrett.We would know. For years, Verrett tweeted obsessively about us, predicted our demise, denounced us as racist, and directly messaged m...