ESPN has issued a two-day suspension on talk show host, Dan Le Batard, for putting up a billboard in Miami that mocks LeBron James.
In a statement sent to several media, the top sports channel said that Le Batard will be off the air for two days, and he will return Monday, August 11. "His recent stunt does not reflect ESPN's standards and brand. Additionally, we were not made aware of his plans in advance," wrote the Hollywood Reporter.
The billboard stood in Miami bearing a photo of the two NBA championship rings that LeBron received during his tenure with the Heat. It bore the message, in mocking Comic Sans font, that said: "You're Welcome, LeBron." The bottom of the ad said: "This ad is paid for by Gonzalo 'Papi' Le Batard and Stugotz."
Gonzalo Le Batar is the father of Dan Le Batard, who is also the latter's co-host in the ESPN television show, "Highly Questionable," according to Fox News. The other name, Stugotz, is the nickname of John Weiner, his co-host at his radio show titled, "The Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz." Both shows air daily.
In an article by Miami Herald, the host reportedly called his stunt "fun anarchy." In a text message to sports writer, Greg Cote, he is quoted as saying "I guess ESPN didn't find it all quite as funny as I did." The same article also reveals that Le Batard had first considered posting full-page ads on the local newspapers bearing the same message, but the Cleveland and Akron papers had declined to run them. Specifically, writes Time.com, he had appraoched local Ohio paper, The Plain Dealer and The Akron Beacon-Journal.
Le Batard allegedly wanted to give LeBron a gentle jab for not thanking his fans in Miami during his departure essay, which led some to question whether the suspension may be too much.
"It's just fun anarchy. All meant in fun -- which, of course, will turn into Cleveland people getting filled with rage, poison and irrational hostility and want to use those billboards as a guillotine. Sports are so great, the more irrational the better. This is a publicity stunt disguised as a movement. Please don't tell anyone there is no actual movement," said Le Batard in a follow up text message to Cote.
The suspension comes barely ten days after ESPN suspended Stephen Smith, the co-host of "First Take," for a week over his comments about Ray Rice and the domestic violence case the NFL player is involved in.
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