ESPN announced on Monday that it is suspending “SC6” anchor Jemele Hill for two weeks without pay for a second violation of its “social media guidelines.”
On Sunday, following Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones’ comments that Cowboys players who don’t stand for the national anthem “will not play,” Hill suggested fans upset with Jones should boycott the advertisers who support Jones and the Cowboys.
Hill had previously been in hot water for calling Trump a “white supremacist.” ESPN later denounced the comments but did not suspend Hill, drawing criticism from both liberals and conservatives over the handling of the issue.
Here is ESPN’s statement:
ESPN’s Statement on Jemele Hill: pic.twitter.com/JkVoBVz7lv
— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) October 9, 2017
Hill said that fans could best express their disappointment with Jones by boycotting brands that support Jones and the Cowboys.
If you strongly reject what Jerry Jones said, the key is his advertisers. Don’t place the burden squarely on the players. https://t.co/Gc48kchkuv
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
This play always work. Change happens when advertisers are impacted. If you feel strongly about JJ’s statement, boycott his advertisers. https://t.co/LFXJ9YQe74
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
Hill also clarified that she was not calling for a boycott of the NFL.
Just so we’re clear: I’m not advocating a NFL boycott. But an unfair burden has been put on players in Dallas & Miami w/ anthem directives.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
If fans really are that upset about what JJ & Stephen Ross have done, don’t call the players sellouts, but you’re watching every Sunday.
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) October 9, 2017
Following her comments about Trump, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Hill’s comments were a “fireable offense.” Trump also tweeted that ESPN should “apologize for untruth” after the comments, saying they were losing business for getting into politics.
A later report after Hill’s comments said that ESPN tried replacing her on “SC6” but was not able to find someone to fill in for her. ESPN denied the report.
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