ESPN Fires Ron Franklin

ESPN has fired announcer Ron Franklin after he reportedly berated a female colleague.

The network had pulled him from its radio coverage of Saturday’s
Fiesta Bowl, and Franklin issued a public apology Monday.

Sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards wrote in an e-mail to USA
Today in response to Internet reports Monday 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.

ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys said Tuesday that “based on what
occurred last Friday, we have ended our relationship with him.”

Franklin had worked for ESPN since 1987, calling primarily
college football and basketball. He focused on the Big 12 in recent
years.

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