Rob Parker's contract not renewed by ESPN
ESPN has officially ended their relationship with Rob Parker, according to Mike Soltys.
Rob Parker’s contract expired at year end.Evaluating our needs and his work, including his recent RGIII comments, we decided not to renew.
— Mike Soltys (@espnmikes) January 8, 2013
While it looked like Parker would survive the initial outrage following his comments about Robert Griffin III, an interview that Parker gave to WDIV's Flashpoint didn't help his cause at all, though John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal says that the decision to not renew Parker's contract came before the interview was released.
The last month-plus of Parker's career was one of the most precipitous drops we've seen in a while. At the end of November, ESPN announced that Parker would be hosting the brand new First Take Saturday edition along with Cari Champion. Then not even three weeks later, Parker made his comments about Griffin, and his star at ESPN dimmed instantly, finally being extinguished today.
A very small part of me actually feels a little bad for Parker. While his comments about Griffin were uncalled for, he was simply trying to play into the "embrace debate" culture that ESPN has been promoting in recent months. But everything after those comments was all on Parker, continually throwing dirt onto his own grave for weeks before the process was completed today. If Parker had said what he said about Griffin maybe three months earlier, he still might have a job at ESPN. Instead, everything happening at the end of the year was with his contract up for renewal. Given the extreme negative backlash towards Parker, his comments, and his actions since his comments, the decision to not renew his deal for 2013 was probably an easy one for ESPN at the end of the day.
Parker wasn't trying to stir the "embrace debate" pot for ESPN when he made his asinine comments. The fact is, this is who Rob Parker is. He is a racist, an individual that still views everything in his life through a poison perspective. It is ironic that Parker heaps his vitriol on successful black men, putting them down instead of raising them up as examples to look up to. RG3 is a well educated, extraordinary talent and appears to be an even better human being. Class comes in all colors Rob. Too bad you're to blinded by your own ignorance to see it.
Very well written. Just after Mr. Parkers comments, I did like the way Stephen A Smith answered when called upon. " I'm uncomfortable where we just went" At least someone on that show has the class and intelligence to sidestep such a hostile and hurtful rant.
Not good enough. The entire First Take needs to go off air. Hell, I would rather stare at Cari Champion 2 hours a day than listen to Skip Bayless and Stephen A. Smith.
like i said before. he is a product of the espn "embrace debate" environment. he was only playing into the atmosphere espn has become where the writers are now more important than the athletes they cover.
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Good, I was wondering when it was coming. What a STUPID remark. And from a Brother. What a Hater.
@mcjeff42 Why all the hate for SAS? Sure he's loud but he's no where near a "Rob Parker" and actually has some sensible takes on the show for the most part IMHO. And why do you even take time to respond about Skip or SAS if you hate them or the show...unless you really do watch- which contradicts your whole point, homeboy
The good news, he's no longer national. The bad news, the Detroit market is still exposed to his articles and segments. The ugly, First Take is still on the air.
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Everyone's prayers have finally been answered. The Race Merchant Rob Parker is finally out of our hair I wonder where this asswipe is gonna turn up next? Some obscure network will bring him on board....
Is this because of what he said or because he blew the whistle on the producers of the show. How about take it a step further and not only fire Rob, fire the producers and cancel the show.
Good riddance, maybe if ESPN continues to clean house, they will be enjoyable to watch again.
good. although hes the type of shock - jock journalist ESPN covets ( ex. skip bayless) even they know hes toxic. hey rob!!! my c.w.p.f 's are telling me your looking for a job at wendys.
