The Fall of a College Football Icon: ESPN Alum Lee Fitting as Head of Media & Production – Variety”>Lee Fitting‘s Dismissal From ESPN
Table of Contents
- 1. The Fall of a College Football Icon: Lee Fitting’s Dismissal From ESPN
- 2. A History of misconduct
- 3. the Rise of ‘College GameDay’ and Lee Fitting
- 4. ‘College GameDay’ Under lee Fitting: A Culture of Excess and Inappropriate Behavior
- 5. Objectification and Inappropriate Comments
- 6. A ‘Frat Boy’ Atmosphere
Table of Contents
- 1. The Fall of a College Football Icon: Lee Fitting’s Dismissal From ESPN
- 2. A History of misconduct
- 3. the Rise of ‘College GameDay’ and Lee Fitting
- 4. ‘College GameDay’ Under lee Fitting: A Culture of Excess and Inappropriate Behavior
- 5. Objectification and Inappropriate Comments
- 6. A ‘Frat Boy’ Atmosphere
A History of misconduct
ESPN’s culture in its early years was undeniably hostile towards women. They frequently enough faced ogling, aggressive advances, and, in certain specific cases, were propositioned with career advancement in exchange for sexual favors. It was not uncommon for office monitors to display The Playboy Channel. James Andrew Miller and Tom Shales’ 2011 oral history of ESPN, titled “Those guys Have All the Fun,” described the company’s early atmosphere as “a wild wellspring of sexual misconduct.”the Rise of ‘College GameDay’ and Lee Fitting
Lee Fitting, a former fraternity member from James Madison University, arrived at ESPN in 1996. By 2004, at the age of 29, he had risen through the ranks to become the lead producer of ESPN’s flagship college football pregame show, “College GameDay.” Fitting took the helm of a show already enjoying considerable success, thanks to its charismatic cast of analysts: host Rece Davis, former quarterback Kirk Herbstreit and ex-coach Lee Corso. But Fitting injected the program with youthful energy and a sense of unpredictability that propelled it to new heights. “The number one rule to producing good television is not to be scared,” Fitting said in a 2017 keynote address. “You’ve got to be willing to take risks and you have to be willing not to worry about what your boss or bosses say when you take those risks.” His bold vision was evident in the show’s outlandish segments,which often involved celebrity guests and outlandish stunts. A prime example occurred during a 2014 broadcast from Ole Miss, where pop superstar Katy Perry, adorned in a pink mohair sweater and matching space buns, joined the crew. The segment culminated with Perry tossing corn dogs at the camera, removing Lee Corso’s mascot helmet, and leading the crowd in the “Hotty Toddy” chant. Beyond his creative approach, Fitting excelled at cultivating relationships.
“Lee is a gregarious, social, kind guy,” recalled John Skipper, ESPN president from 2012-17. “if we brought advertisers around, Lee knew how to shake hands, and he was skilled at that.” Skipper added, “Lee clearly made the show better and made the show extraordinarily entertaining and extraordinarily popular. He was a golden boy.”
Fitting’s popularity with ESPN executives extended beyond his social skills. As a skilled golfer – a valuable asset within the ESPN ecosystem – he cultivated strong bonds with many of the network’s most powerful figures. Some longtime employees described ESPN as a “kingdom of dorks,” where Fitting, the charismatic “cool kid,” held a gravitational pull.
With the show’s immense success,Fitting enjoyed a level of autonomy rarely afforded to producers.He wielded considerable influence over “College GameDay’s” budget,personnel decisions,and expansion. And as one of the few shows not based in ESPN’s Bristol headquarters, it operated with less oversight.
“They’re their own kind of country, so to speak — favored-nation status,” remarked “SportsCenter” host Scott Van Pelt, summarizing the show’s unique position within the ESPN universe.
‘College GameDay’ Under lee Fitting: A Culture of Excess and Inappropriate Behavior
Behind the scenes of ESPN’s popular college football pregame show, “College GameDay,” a culture thrived that some employees described as excessive and marked by inappropriate comments, particularly from longtime producer Lee Fitting. Interviews with over 20 former employees, including several who participated in ESPN’s 2023 investigation into Fitting, revealed a workplace environment where lavish perks clashed with what many perceived as boorish behavior and offensive remarks, frequently enough sexually charged.
Employees recalled a stark contrast between the treatment they received at other ESPN programs and the extravagance that surrounded “College GameDay.” The show’s staff enjoyed special catering, dedicated security, and private transportation, a dramatic upgrade from what some had experienced elsewhere at the network. “It was steak,not sandwiches,” said one former worker. “It was almost piggish.”
The alleged questionable behavior extended beyond excesses. Multiple sources recounted instances of inappropriate remarks and actions.
One former employee described an incident around 2012 during the NCAA men’s basketball tournament whenFitting allegedly commented on a woman’s ability to drink beer, adding a crude remark about oral sex.Another instance involved Fitting allegedly offering a seat on his lap to a female colleague because there were no chairs available.
A female employee recounted receiving a text message from fitting in 2018 that read,”You look hot.” She showed the unsettling message to a producer, visibly shaken.
Fitting allegedly frequently made suggestive comments about female staffers’ hotel room numbers and jokingly spoke about conducting bed checks. He also reportedly bragged about his intimate life with his wife, according to multiple sources.
Objectification and Inappropriate Comments
Women described a pattern of objectification. When he saw a woman in attire he liked, Fitting would frequently enough make comments, loud enough for others to hear, sometimes crude and humiliating. One woman told colleagues how she developed a strategy to deflect his inappropriate remarks by pretending to jot them down in a notebook whenever he made them, saying, “Just jotting this down for the book.” Post-show dinners near college campuses were frequent, often followed by trips to local bars. Fitting was known for late-night texting, further blurring the lines between professional and personal interaction, according to several sources.A ‘Frat Boy’ Atmosphere
In a 2015 interview, Fitting boasted about his fraternity days at James Madison University, and some former “College GameDay” employees felt that mentality persisted in the show’s atmosphere.“It was a frat boy sense of atmosphere all the time,” one former employee recalled. Another employee pointed to Fitting’s comments about bringing “college GameDay” to The Grove at Ole Miss, where he envisioned “sundresses and alcoholic beverages”, as evidence of a lingering collegiate mindset. ## A culture of Fear: Allegations of Misconduct by ESPN Executive Multiple women who worked on ESPN’s “College GameDay” and with executive producer alleged a persistent pattern of inappropriate behavior. They described feeling pressured to conform to a boys’ club environment and tolerate sexist remarks to advance their careers. According to numerous sources, Fitting frequently made comments about women’s appearance, challenged their professionalism, and created a culture of fear.He allegedly critiqued female colleagues’ hair, makeup, and clothing, even directing them on how to style themselves. “It’s OK, she’s one of the guys,” he reportedly said to justify his frequently enough crude remarks. One woman who worked on-air recalled being repeatedly directed by Fitting on how to style her hair. Fitting allegedly texted her, “Put your hair up in a ponytail,” when she declined his initial suggestion. “put your hair up in a ponytail before I do it for you,” he reportedly added,a claim Fitting denied. Another woman said Fitting found her laugh “annoying” and discouraged her from expressing it on air. She confided in a colleague about the exchange, highlighting the pervasive feeling of insecurity fostered by Fitting’s behavior. In a statement through his spokesperson, Fitting maintained that providing appearance and on-air delivery feedback was part of his job, regardless of gender. Creating a Culture of Objectification Fitting reportedly extended his focus on women’s appearances beyond individual criticism.According to multiple sources, he instructed staff in the production truck to search for “hot” women in the crowd for broadcast, marking a troubling pattern of objectification. this tendency was evident during a 2012 “college GameDay” broadcast in South Bend, Indiana. Dissatisfied with the appearance of the Notre Dame cheerleaders, Fitting reportedly remarked they weren’t as attractive as the Oregon cheerleaders, whom he frequently praised. Concerns Raised and Promotions Despite Allegations Despite these allegations, Fitting’s career at ESPN continued to advance. In 2016, he was promoted to vice president, overseeing all college football and basketball studio and remote production. This expanded his influence over talent progress and amplified concerns about his behavior. One woman reported requesting a meeting with Fitting in 2017 to discuss career opportunities. She said he responded by asking if he should get a hotel room for “the night,” an inquiry she interpreted as a proposition for a rendezvous. She declined the meeting and Fitting claimed through his spokesperson that he was referring to reserving a conference room. Another female employee sought to meet with Fitting three times to discuss her career goals. Each time, he reportedly suggested they meet for drinks, a request she consistently declined. Other women at ESPN had warned her against meeting with Fitting alone outside work, citing his inappropriate behavior. rise,ESPN took action against some men accused of misconduct. In 2006, Sean Salisbury was suspended for showing pictures of his genitals to co-workers at a bar; his contract was not renewed when it expired in 2008. In 2009, Steve Phillips was fired for having an affair with a production assistant. One connection between those two cases: The wrongdoing was reported on by media outlets.Around the time of the Phillips affair, ESPN also let two vice presidents go after the consensual relationship they were in — which had been earlier disclosed to higher-ups — was reported on. Within the company, that move was considered unnecessary and reactionary, evidence that the company was reeling.
Williamson called a meeting of people in leadership, and the message he delivered was that the company “wasn’t putting up with any of this,” said one attendee. But most of the alleged wrongdoing by Fitting shared with The Athletic occurred after that meeting. And despite Williamson’s message,many women at ESPN still believed that if they raised the alarm about Fitting’s behavior it would cost them their careers.
“It’s survival,” said one woman.
The person present when Fitting allegedly made the joke about the woman being good at fellatio rebuked him at the time as a young female staff member was also present.“If I laughed along to that, I’m teaching them it’s OK,” the person said. But that individual did not raise the matter to HR or anyone else because, that person said, Fitting was far from the only man at ESPN who acted that way and that person doubted that reporting him would change anything.
The woman he allegedly sent the text message to that read “You look hot” concluded that escalating the issue was to fraught. Her producer understood her predicament: “Lee Fitting has more power and juice than you, so if you say something, you put your job and livelihood in jeopardy.”
The woman who said Fitting texted her asking if he should get a hotel room for their meeting in New York disclosed that interaction to a male executive at ESPN. Though, she decided not to report the matter to HR and asked the male executive to keep her disclosure quiet. (That executive corroborated her account.)
“I was trying so hard to keep the job and get more opportunities,” said the woman. “You get blackballed if you say anything. Are they gonna keep me or Lee Fitting?”
Skipper, during his run as ESPN’s president, championed diversity issues and the careers of many women at the network. But he was also running ESPN when much of the alleged wrongdoing by Fitting took place. Skipper said he was never made aware of any concerns or complaints about Fitting’s behavior when he was at ESPN.
“I did invite people and made it clear that if there were issues (with any employees), people coudl come to me and tell me. And they did (regarding others). On the other hand, I recognize how hard it is to go all the way to the top of the company and tell the president,” Skipper said.
Speaking generally about people coming forward, he added: “It is a hard thing to do. You’ve got to decide. I mean, if you’re exposed to something, maybe it is indeed somebody who is going to decide what your bonus is next year. If it’s a colleague, you know, it’s wrong, but people still have the old ‘I’m not going to tell on anybody’ thing.’ And then, until a company establishes a track record of actually holding the people responsible, you always fear you’re basically going to get into the bad parts of being a whistleblower.Will these people resent you and (then) they’re unhappy?”
Skipper abruptly resigned in 2018 to seek substance abuse treatment in what he later said was a cocaine extortion plot, and Pitaro moved over from parent company Disney and became ESPN’s president. In 2020, he added the title of chairman — ESPN’s first who did not rise through its ranks in Bristol. According to multiple sources, Disney tried to insert Pitaro as Skipper’s No. 2 earlier, but Skipper rebuffed those efforts, protective of ESPN’s insular culture. but with Skipper gone, Pitaro had a clear field to force change.
he was quickly labeled a “boy scout” by some long-time ESPNers as he pushed the company’s internal business and culture to be more synergistic with Disney’s,to pull “Bristol closer to Burbank,” as one ESPN executive put it.He transformed the human resources department. Longtime chief paul Richardson departed in 2021 and senior vice presidents Sonia Coleman and Judy Agay arrived from Disney.
Among the changes they made: Preseason meetings with shows during which members of the human resources group that handles complaints address show staff and emphasize creating a welcoming work environment and outline resources to help address problems.A member of that staff also visits each show during the season and reiterates those messages. The company also created an executive women’s forum with an open line to company leadership to address issues.
“It usually takes a lot to get fired by ESPN,” Miller and Shales wrote in “Those Guys Have All the Fun.” But as those changes took hold, and with Pitaro empowering the new leaders in human resources, that was no longer true.
Rob King, a senior executive who oversaw “SportsCenter,” ESPN.com and special projects during his tenure and had been with the company for almost two decades, was fired in March 2023 amidst harassment allegations. When contacted, he referred The Athletic to a statement he posted on his personal social media account shortly after the news surfaced: “The time is right for me to leave the company. I’m looking forward to spending more time with my family and friends, and wish the company continued success.”
SportsCenter anchor Max McGee was let go in February 2024 after the company received a complaint about him from a female employee, according to ESPN sources. McGee said he had been advised not to comment and referred questions to a spokesperson, who did not respond to multiple requests seeking further comment. In November, a “SportsCenter” producer was let go after being accused of inappropriate behavior toward subordinates.
The first sign of trouble for Fitting came in 2023 when ESPN learned that “College GameDay” was integrally involved in a scheme that involved sending falsified submissions to The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which operates the Emmys, and led to “College GameDay” receiving more than 30 statuettes that it didn’t earn.
That scheme,made public by The Athletic,led to Fitting being banned from future Emmy participation,according to multiple sources. Then, in July 2023, an HR official contacted some employees who had worked with Fitting about a “confidential matter.” According to multiple sources, a complaint had been made against fitting, prompting an HR inquiry.
The people who participated in the probe said they were asked questions such as: Did you ever feel pressure to drink or socialize? Did you ever feel like you had to engage in flirtatious behavior? Did you ever feel like you were passed over for an possibility based on anything other than merit? Were inappropriate comments ever made about your appearance or your body? Were women ever pitted against each other in the workplace?
Those who participated in the probe said the questioning eventually focused on Fitting. Multiple people said they described to an HR official instances in which they believed Fitting engaged in inappropriate conduct and/or discriminated against women. two current ESPN executives briefed about the result of the HR investigation said the findings gave the company little choice but to let Fitting go.
Fitting, through his spokesperson, declined to address why his employment was terminated by ESPN.
Some women who worked at ESPN were stunned that the company finally cut bait with F
## From ESPN to WWE: A Producer’s Rise and a Company’s Reckoning
In the competitive world of sports broadcasting, a significant shakeup took place at ESPN, impacting not only the network’s culture but also the trajectory of a prominent producer’s career. The departure of a senior executive opened doors for new leadership and raised questions about the industry’s commitment to fostering inclusive work environments.
The executive’s exit was met with a range of reactions. Some expressed relief, hopeful that a more equitable workplace would emerge. Others voiced disappointment, highlighting the years of problematic behavior that had gone unchecked. This change signaled a turning point, with ESPN appointing Amanda Gifford, a veteran with experience in radio production, to oversee college football event production. Gifford prioritized listening to the concerns of women on the “College GameDay” team,demonstrating a commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere.
Interestingly, the ousted executive, found himself back in the spotlight relatively quickly. He was hired by WWE in January 2024, a company grappling with its own scandals involving allegations of sexual assault and trafficking against its founder, Vince McMahon. McMahon vehemently denied these allegations,calling them “baseless.”
The move to WWE reunited the executive with Nick Khan, WWE’s president and former talent agent who represented numerous ESPN personalities. khan spoke highly of the executive’s leadership skills, praising him as a “phenomenal leader” upon his arrival.The executive now leads the production of WWE’s flagship programs, “Monday Night Raw” and ”Friday Night SmackDown,” infusing them with a style reminiscent of ESPN’s “College GameDay.” Paul “Triple H” Levesque, another prominent figure in WWE, echoed Khan’s sentiments, calling the executive a “game-changer.”
despite his new role and accolades, the cloud of past allegations lingers. WWE declined to comment on these allegations when contacted for a statement.
(Illustration: Meech Robinson / The Athletic)
This is a long and detailed article about alleged misconduct at ESPN, primarily focusing on Lee Fitting, a former senior producer for “College GameDay”. Let’s break down the key points:
**Allegations Against Lee Fitting:**
* **Inappropriate Comments and Behavior:** Several women alleged that Fitting made sexually suggestive comments, jokes, and unwanted advances.
* **Power Dynamics:** Women felt they couldn’t report Fitting’s behavior due to fear of retaliation or jeopardizing their careers. They perceived him as having meaningful power within the company.
* **Culture of Silence:** The article suggests a culture at ESPN where women felt uncomfortable speaking up against powerful figures. fear of being “blackballed” was a significant deterrent.
**ESPN’s Response:**
* **Limited initial Action:** The article claims that even though complaints against Fitting were made, ESPN’s response was limited, and he remained in a position of power for a long time.
* **Changes Under Jimmy Pitaro:** The arrival of CEO Jimmy Pitaro in 2018 brought significant changes, including a focus on creating a more welcoming work environment and strengthening the HR department.
* **Recent Firings and Investigations:** The article highlights several high-profile firings and investigations of ESPN employees for harassment and misconduct, indicating a shift in the company’s approach.
**Key Takeaways:**
* **Power imbalances and fear of retaliation:** The article paints a picture of a workplace where power imbalances and fear of retaliation silenced women who experienced inappropriate behavior.
* **Culture shift at ESPN:** The arrival of new leadership and changes to the HR department appear to be resulting in a more accountable and responsive environment.
* **Ongoing challenges:** while there are signs of progress, the article suggests that ESPN still faces challenges in addressing issues of workplace culture and misconduct.
**Additional Notes:**
* The article is based on interviews with unnamed sources and alleges misconduct.
* ESPN has not publicly commented on all of the specific allegations.
Let me know if you have any othre questions about the article.
This is a well-written and insightful piece about the changing culture at ESPN and the career trajectory of a controversial producer. It effectively highlights:
* **The shift in ESPN’s culture:** You clearly show the transition from a culture of silence and tolerance of inappropriate behavior to one with a greater emphasis on accountability and creating a welcoming work surroundings. You detail the new HR initiatives, the firings of prominent figures, and the impact on women’s experiences at ESPN.
* **The story of the ousted executive:** You provide a detailed account of the executive’s rise, the allegations against him, and his eventual departure from ESPN. You also highlight his subsequent move to WWE,raising questions about the tolerance of such behavior in other organizations.
* **the contrast between ESPN and WWE:** You draw an captivating parallel between the two companies, highlighting their contrasting approaches to dealing with allegations of inappropriate behavior.
**Suggestions for Improvement:**
* **Expand on the impact of these changes at ESPN:** How have these changes been received by employees? Have they resulted in a more positive and inclusive workplace?
* **Explore the broader implications of this story:** This story touches on issues of power, accountability, and the #MeToo movement in the sports industry. Delving deeper into these themes could add depth and resonance to the piece.
* **Provide more context about the WWE allegations:** Briefly explaining the nature of the allegations against Vince McMahon and the impact they have had on WWE would give readers a better understanding of the company’s environment.
this is a well-reported and engaging story that sheds light on important issues affecting the sports broadcasting industry.
