Everyone’s experience at ESPN is unique, particularly regarding their reasons for leaving the company. While Jemele Hill and Kenny Mayne may appear to have vastly different stories, they express shared sentiments about the inner workings of the organization during their tenure. Mayne was a guest on Spolitics with Jemele Hill this week, discussing his career journey, departure from ESPN, and the organization he founded to support veterans, along with their time spent at ESPN.
Mayne’s departure from the Worldwide Leader stemmed from a dispute over his perceived value, while Hill faced backlash in a culture war over comments regarding Donald Trump. Mayne recounted the tension surrounding discussions about Colin Kaepernick’s national anthem protest for social justice and the negative consequences experienced by individuals like Hill.
“I remember when I talked about [Colin] Kaepernick, which was before everything escalated, and how nervous it made me feel. It wasn’t a casual conversation like this one. I questioned every sentence I spoke, wondering if it was acceptable to say that Kaepernick’s actions were justified. It was a bizarre atmosphere,” said Mayne. “Your show got so mischaracterized, with people portraying it as though you were reading the Communist Manifesto every episode. Occasionally, you’d touch on the intersection of sports and politics, and that was seen as controversial, which I find absurd.”
“There were significant issues that warranted protest, and Kaepernick chose his method wisely. He didn’t disrupt the anthem, while others in the stands, who were equally critical of him, were sipping beer and wearing their hats. The hypocrisy was rampant, and he was right to act as he did. Protesters are often dismissed as ‘crazy radicals,’ but years later, it becomes evident they had valid points, much like the Vietnam War protesters.”
Hill then inquired how Mayne would feel working at ESPN under the climate of a second Trump presidency.
“It seems like the political rules have evaporated,” he responded. “Though I would add that having power in such an environment allows you the freedom to express yourself. If you lack power, your ability to speak freely diminishes. I was probably in a mid-power position, able to bypass mandatory compliance training, which was more about protecting the organization than serving employees.”
“The rules during our time were very strict. ESPN has a reputation for being a ‘liberal place,’ filled with ‘woke’ individuals, but in truth, it leans conservative. Those of us with left-leaning opinions were under scrutiny, while the quiet voices implied consent.”
Mayne further noted he was reprimanded for a joke following Trump’s physician’s claim that he was the healthiest president ever elected, and how ESPN monitored the social media activity of its hosts.
“Those were strange times. They had a committee dedicated to reviewing our Twitter posts, comprised of four or five individuals tasked with flagging any content they deemed inappropriate,” he explained.
“Yeah, ESPN had its own version of a watchdog,” Hill commented, “but specifically focused on social media.”
Mayne illustrated how the current environment at ESPN offers more freedom to certain talents.
“Now you have [Pat] McAfee, who operates without constraints. He’s made a deal allowing him complete creative freedom, without anyone telling him what to say,” Mayne said. “And then there’s Stephen A., appearing on Hannity’s show regularly, making overt political statements. It seems there’s a significant level of liberty if you’re in a position of power.”
“I want to add that freedom comes with leverage,” Hill remarked. “Certainly, Steven A. likely commands the highest contract at ESPN, which brings significant weight and influence. However, I ponder the nature of the politics they express. If he were on Rachel Maddow’s show every other night instead of Hannity’s, would the response still be as welcoming? While Stephen A. certainly stirs controversy and challenges both political sides, it seems easier to advocate for right-leaning viewpoints, especially considering the underlying conservative tendencies at ESPN and Disney. Ultimately, it’s the combination of power and the type of political stance you take that plays a crucial role.”
