ESPN's decision to drop Asian-American play-by-play announcer Robert Lee from calling a University of Virginia game kicked up a public relations firestorm — but the network president Wednesday said Lee himself supported the move.
Social media was in a frenzy over the decision to have Lee call another game because of concerns the UVA game was being played in Charlottesville, where a park with a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee has been stigmatized as the site of a deadly white supremacist rally.
On Tuesday, the network posted a statement dismissing the reactions to its decision to switch the commentator's assignment.
And on Wednesday, ESPN President John Skipper fired off an email to employees addressing the issue as well, with Mediaite posting the message.
In the email, Skipper denied there were ever "any concern — by anyone, at any level — that Robert Lee's name would offend anyone watching the Charlottesville game."
"Among our Charlotte production staff there was a question as to whether — in these divisive times — Robert's assignment might create a distraction, or even worse, expose him to social hectoring and trolling," Skipper's email read, according to Mediaite.
"Since Robert was their primary concern, they consulted with him directly. He expressed some personal trepidation about the assignment and, when offered the chance to do the Youngstown State/Pitt game instead, opted for that game — in part because he lives in Albany and would be able to get home to his family on Saturday evening."
"I'm disappointed that the good intentions of our Charlotte colleagues have been intentionally hijacked by someone with a personal agenda, and sincerely appreciate Robert's personal input and professionalism throughout this episode."
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