ESPN Suspends Keith Olbermann Over Snarky Tweets
Geann Pineda | | Feb 25, 2015 04:52 AM EST |
Sports network ESPN has suspended sports commentator Keith Olbermann for the rest of the week following his snarky remarks on Pennsylvania State and its annual fundraiser.
Olbermann made critical comments against the school and its annual THON Fundraiser, which aims to fight pediatric cancer.
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In one of his tweets, Olbermann said Penn State students were "pitiful".
This sparked outrage among Twitter users particularly PSU students who engaged him in a Twitter war.
Following a verbal tussle with Twitter users, Olbermann sent out a seemingly sarcastic tweet thanking the students and the alumni for helping him prove the mediocrity of the school's quality of education and ethics.
"We are aware of the exchange Keith Olbermann had on Twitter last night regarding Penn State. It was completely inappropriate and does not reflect the views of ESPN," ESPN said in a statement.
The network said it has discussed the matter with Olbermann, who admitted he made a mistake.
"ESPN and Keith have agreed that he will not host his show for the remainder of this week and will return on Monday," the network added.
In a tweet, Olbermann apologized saying he was stupid and childish and less mature than the students of the PSU who did a good job in raising funds for pediatric cancer patients.
To date, THON 2015 has raised $13 million that can help provide financial support for kids with cancer and their families.
Olbermann is known for facing his critics head on despite warnings of suspension. He is also often criticized for "crossing the line" with his hard-hitting on-air comments and opinion.
During the 2008 Democratic primaries, Olberman often criticized Hillary Clinton over her campaign tactics against her then opponent Barack Obama.
In 2010, just before the Massachusetts special election, Olberman called Republican Scott Brown an "irresponsible, homophobic, racist" politician among other things - remarks that colleague Joe Scarborough branded as "reckless" and "sad".
In 2010, MSNBC suspended him for donating to three Democratic candidates without the network's approval. The $2,400 donation were said to be made days before the 2010 elections.
ESPN said it had repeatedly imposed suspension to limit offensive behaviors by its on-air anchors and staff.
Those who have been suspended included Grantland editor in chief Bill Simons, baseball writer Keith Law and columnist Stephen Smith.
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