We’re not sure if ESPN was trying to sweep it under the rug, but the story eventually hit its front page.
Longtime announcer Ron “Sweet Baby” Franklin has been fired by ESPN for verbally berating colleague Jeannine Edwards.
According to an initial report on Sunday from SportsbyBrooks.com, Franklin referred to Edwards as *ahem* “sweetcakes” in what Edwards described as a condescending tone. Later, in an email to the USA Today, Edwards clarified that Franklin actually called her “sweet baby”. Either way, Edwards objected to the derogatory comment and Franklin, who we can only guess was wearing a wife beater and a John Deere trucker hat, promptly called her an “a--hole”.
As a result, Franklin was initially suspended by ESPN for the Fiesta Bowl, before being officially let go Monday.
“Based on what occurred last Friday, we have ended our relationship with him,” ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys said earlier today.
You stay classy, Ron Franklin.