ESPN suspends NBA reporter after profane email to Hawley: report

ESPN has suspended its top NBA reporter after he responded with an expletive to an email from Sen. Josh Hawley’s (R-Mo.) press office.

The Washington Post reported Sunday that Adrian Wojnarowski was suspended by network officials for 1-2 weeks, a penalty handed down after Hawley tweeted a screenshot of the email sent by Wojnarowski on Friday and the reporter’s subsequent public apology.

“Don’t criticize #China or express support for law enforcement to @espn. It makes them real mad,” Hawley wrote in the tweet with Wojnarowski’s email to his office, which read “F–k you” in response to a statement from Hawley condemning the NBA for its stance on criticism of China from players and staff.

Don’t criticize #China or express support for law enforcement to @espn. It makes them real mad ⁦@Outkick⁩ pic.twitter.com/WJDxrotUBD

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 10, 2020

Wojnarowski responded with his own statement, which said that he had made a “regrettable mistake” and would reach out to the senator to apologize personally.

pic.twitter.com/wsBNk9Jv2y

— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 10, 2020

ESPN declined to comment to the Post on Wojnarowski’s reported suspension, but called his behavior unacceptable in a statement Friday.

“This is completely unacceptable behavior and we do not condone it. It is inexcusable for anyone working for ESPN to respond in the way Adrian did to Sen. Hawley,” the network said.

Hawley, meanwhile, called for ESPN’s president to meet with him and discuss the situation in subsequent tweets, and added that he disagreed with Wojnarowski’s suspension.

My phone has been ringing off the hook with lobbyists from @espn, from @Disney, the works. Let’s make this simple. I’m inviting ESPN CEO Jimmy Pitaro to Washington. My office. Let’s sit down and discuss ESPN, #China, the @NBA. Look forward to his response

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 10, 2020

.@espn don’t suspend a reporter, ask tough questions of @NBA about their pro-#China, anti-America bias. Start reporting for goodness sake https://t.co/No0rG4mS1L

— Josh Hawley (@HawleyMO) July 12, 2020