Ever since ESPN decided to become politically active and place as much of a focus on that instead of something viewers had expected from them — sports coverage, it was only a matter of time before they faced a huge problem like the one they are dealing with now.
The network allows one voice for progressive Democrats, meaning network stars who voice opposition to anything on the contrary face firing, demonization, or both. Sam Ponder is a spectacularly paid high-profile host of ESPN’s NFL coverage, and she has spoken out against the Biden administration’s plan to reform rules around transgenders in sports. That goes against the talking points of ESPN, so she’s in big trouble.
ESPN believes trans women competing against biological women is fair. They celebrated transgender swimmer Lia Thomas — and focused on her for an entire segment during their Women’s History Month coverage.
Like many Americans, Ponder thinks trans women competing against women is stupid and unfair. “This would take away so many opportunities for biological women and girls in sports. It is a shame that we are needing to fight for the integrity of Title IX in 2023 and the reason it was needed in the first place. #savewomensports.”
Here’s a refresher class on Title IX. It was introduced in 1972 and prohibited sex-based discrimination in any school or any other education program that receives funding from the federal government.
Could Ponder be fired for expressing her opinion? Of course. ESPN doesn’t even try to hide that they are not into the whole “free speech” thing. The last ESPN employee publicly opposing the transgender issue was Curt Schilling, who was fired in 2016. He was not as tactful or popular as Ponder, so it will be interesting to see what happens next.
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