[EtellaObtaite]

Why Is ESPN Ignoring Roethlisberger Sexual Assault Allegations?

ESPN Not Reporting Assault
Allegations Against Roethlisberger ESPN at presstime still had yet to acknowledge the civil lawsuit filed against Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger claiming sexual assault on any of its news outlets, including this morning’s editions of “SportsCenter" or ESPN.com. That contrasts with other major online outlets -- including SI.com, Yahoo Sports, FoxSports.com, CBSSports.com and SportingNews.com -- which all had the story as one of its news headlines this morning. The lack of coverage from ESPN comes after an spokesperson yesterday said ESPN is not currently reporting the story "because no criminal complaint has been filed." The spokesperson: "As far as we know, this is a civil lawsuit that Roethlisberger has yet to address publicly" (THE DAILY). FANHOUSE.com's Michael David Smith notes David Cornwell, Roethlisberger's attorney, "addressed the lawsuit publicly" yesterday, saying the QB will be "fully exonerated." However, ESPN Communications Manager Mac Nwulu indicated that the net "does not consider Cornwell's response enough to warrant ESPN reporting on the issue." Nwulu also "stressed that ESPN strives to be very cautious with civil suits that impugn a person's reputation or character." He added that the net "considers both the subject's track record and whether similar allegations might impact the subject's professional performance" (FANHOUSE.com, 7/22). While ESPN has yet to address the story, it was briefly covered on ABC's "GMA" this morning as well as "World News" last night. Other news shows to pick up the story include Fox Business' "Money For Breakfast" and NFL Net's "NFL Total Access" (THE DAILY).

http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/i...ticleID=131926