Dennis Young: ESPN’s Adam Schefter can’t stop embarrassing himself
Dennis Young, New York Daily News
Adam Schefter exists as a stooge for NFL power brokers. That’s less of a criticism than it is a straightforward description of what it means to be ESPN’s top voice of a sport. But what we’ve learned in recent weeks is that Schefter is not merely a stooge, but a dangerously incompetent one.
The latest fiasco centers around a lawsuit from a woman who says Vikings running back Dalvin Cook physically abused her. Schefter, in trademark fashion, introduced the story to the world, and in the process mangled it horrifically.
“Cook is the victim of domestic abuse and extortion,” Schefter tweeted Tuesday night, if that were definitively the case, before adding that, oh yeah, his agent says there’s “pending litigation.”
Cook is countersuing the woman, alleging she pepper sprayed and beat him, before holding him and his guests hostage at gunpoint for several hours. However, referring to “pending litigation” is beyond misleading. News was about to break — handled professionally by the Minneapolis Star-Tribune — that the woman accused Cook of beating her, and had text messages and photos to back up her claims in the lawsuit.
The complicated facts of one particular case do not exculpate Schefter’s sheer inability to carry out the basic tasks of journalism expected of any junior reporter in the country, much less the most senior practitioner in the field. By rushing to publicize a single side of a complicated story, Schefter potentially poisoned the well in a domestic violence case. Haphazard forced apologies can’t put that particular toothpaste back in the tube.
Reporters like Robert Klemko, who would know about carefully handling serious allegations against an NFL player, spent Wednesday ripping Schefter, laying out the incentives for cutting the corners that he did. (Cook’s agent, Zac Hiller, has seemingly fed Schefter multiple scoops across the years, and would presumably continue to do so in return for the odd favor.) The woman’s lawyer put out a scorched-Earth statement to USA Today, accurately accusing him of “journalistic malpractice.”
“ESPN’s journalistic malpractice yesterday sends a painfully clear message to billions of girls and women around the world, that they should be afraid to come forward because media companies like ESPN are more interested in protecting the powerful celebrities that make them money, rather than engaging in honest reporting and competent journalism,” the lawyer, Daniel Cragg, said.
After yet another full day of being raked over the coals, Schefter went on SportsCenter early Wednesday evening to belatedly apologize. “In a case like this, it’s important to reach out to all sides for information and comment,” he said. “When I got the information the other night, I didn’t do that. I could have done a better job reaching out to the other people, especially on a story as sensitive and significant as this. Didn’t do that properly, and it’s a reminder to slow down in this world.”
What Schefter is describing here is the absolute bare minimum. Simply getting what two people say happened isn’t adequate, and yet it’s twice as much work as Schefter did. Not reaching out to the woman or her lawyers is such a basic failure that it gives credence to Mike Florio’s farfetched report that “Some in the industry think Adam Schefter is trying to get fired by ESPN so that he can cash in one of the cash-rich sports books.”
ESPN wouldn’t answer questions about its editorial process, like if Schefter was supposed to run “tips” like this by an editor before tweeting them, or if it would have been able to report its own story on the Cook case if Schefter hadn’t tweeted. “Adam acknowledged what happened and we are addressing the matter with him directly,” the company said. It’s a statement that ESPN is increasingly used to putting out.
It hasn’t even been a month since Schefter was forced to admit that he does know another basic rule of journalism: Don’t email full drafts of stories to powerful sources. But it’s worth noting that while it was reported in October of this year, Schefter called Washington president Bruce Allen “Mr. Editor” back in 2015. He’s been doing his job this way for a long time.
Dennis Young: ESPN’s Adam Schefter can’t stop embarrassing himself
Rick Scuteri
The NFL, the NFL Players Association and their medical directors and independent infectious disease experts put together the protocols. The discipline for violating them was negotiated, with the league and union reaching agreement on specific fines for players. The NFL determines fines for franchises in violation of the protocols.
Rick Scuteri
The NFL, the NFL Players Association and their medical directors and independent infectious disease experts put together the protocols. The discipline for violating them was negotiated, with the league and union reaching agreement on specific fines for players. The NFL determines fines for franchises in violation of the protocols.
Dennis Young: ESPN’s Adam Schefter can’t stop embarrassing himself
Ed Zurga
They are broken down in several categories.
For any player who fails or refuses to fully cooperate with an investigation led by the NFL and/or NFLPA regarding compliance: one week’s salary up to $50,000. And for refusal to submit to required virus testing: $50,000.
For refusal to wear a tracking device when required: $14,650.
An unvaccinated player gathering in any number for any reason with other players and/or members of the club’s staff at a time when the team is “shut down” due to a COVID-19 outbreak is a $50,000 fine.
For any player who is not fully vaccinated, the $14,650 fine applies to:
— Gathering outside of the club facility or team travel in groups of more than three players or other individuals.
— Engaging in in-person meetings, practices and/or training activities outside of club facilities with other players and/or staff.
— Attending an indoor nightclub (unless the player is wearing personal protective equipment and there are no more than 10 people in the club). Or attending an indoor bar (other than to pick up food, or unless the player is wearing PPE and there are no more than 10 people in the bar).
— House gatherings of more than 15 people without the player and all guests wearing masks or PPE, or where social distancing for the more than fifteen people is impossible.
— Attending an indoor music concert/entertainment event. And attending a professional sporting event (other than applicable NFL games or events; or unless the player is seated in a separate section, such as a suite or owner’s box, is wearing PPE and there are no more than 10 people in that separate section).
— Attending an event that is prohibited by state and/or local regulation or other executive orders or laws implemented due to COVID-19.
— Refusal to wear a mask or PPE; and/or maintain physical distancing in club facilities or during travel.
Ed Zurga
They are broken down in several categories.
For any player who fails or refuses to fully cooperate with an investigation led by the NFL and/or NFLPA regarding compliance: one week’s salary up to $50,000. And for refusal to submit to required virus testing: $50,000.
For refusal to wear a tracking device when required: $14,650.
An unvaccinated player gathering in any number for any reason with other players and/or members of the club’s staff at a time when the team is “shut down” due to a COVID-19 outbreak is a $50,000 fine.
For any player who is not fully vaccinated, the $14,650 fine applies to:
— Gathering outside of the club facility or team travel in groups of more than three players or other individuals.
— Engaging in in-person meetings, practices and/or training activities outside of club facilities with other players and/or staff.
— Attending an indoor nightclub (unless the player is wearing personal protective equipment and there are no more than 10 people in the club). Or attending an indoor bar (other than to pick up food, or unless the player is wearing PPE and there are no more than 10 people in the bar).
— House gatherings of more than 15 people without the player and all guests wearing masks or PPE, or where social distancing for the more than fifteen people is impossible.
— Attending an indoor music concert/entertainment event. And attending a professional sporting event (other than applicable NFL games or events; or unless the player is seated in a separate section, such as a suite or owner’s box, is wearing PPE and there are no more than 10 people in that separate section).
— Attending an event that is prohibited by state and/or local regulation or other executive orders or laws implemented due to COVID-19.
— Refusal to wear a mask or PPE; and/or maintain physical distancing in club facilities or during travel.
Dennis Young: ESPN’s Adam Schefter can’t stop embarrassing himself
Bruce Kluckhohn
The NFL was not specific on that, but Rodgers had been seen without a mask at the Packers' facility, particularly during news conferences.
Rodgers, who in August said he was “immunized” against COVID-19, said Tuesday: “I made some comments that people might have felt were misleading. To anybody who felt misled by those comments, I take full responsibility for those comments.”
Rodgers said Friday that he sought alternative treatments rather than the NFL-endorsed vaccinations because he is allergic to an ingredient in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. He didn’t specify the ingredient.
Bruce Kluckhohn
The NFL was not specific on that, but Rodgers had been seen without a mask at the Packers' facility, particularly during news conferences.
Rodgers, who in August said he was “immunized” against COVID-19, said Tuesday: “I made some comments that people might have felt were misleading. To anybody who felt misled by those comments, I take full responsibility for those comments.”
Rodgers said Friday that he sought alternative treatments rather than the NFL-endorsed vaccinations because he is allergic to an ingredient in the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines. He didn’t specify the ingredient.
Dennis Young: ESPN’s Adam Schefter can’t stop embarrassing himself
Tony Dejak
The NFL may impose discipline on such players or ones who knowingly provide misleading or incomplete information during a contact tracing interview. The maximum fine amount is for one week’s game check up to $50,000 for a first offense. But there could be subsequent discipline for further offenses.
Tony Dejak
The NFL may impose discipline on such players or ones who knowingly provide misleading or incomplete information during a contact tracing interview. The maximum fine amount is for one week’s game check up to $50,000 for a first offense. But there could be subsequent discipline for further offenses.
Dennis Young: ESPN’s Adam Schefter can’t stop embarrassing himself
Charlie Riedel
Yes — based upon the absence of just cause; whether the player actually was engaged in such conduct; whether the punishment imposed by the NFL was warranted for that conduct; and a variety of other allowable bases.
Rodgers appealed the decision to not accept his treatments as equal to a vaccination but lost the appeal. He has not yet appealed Tuesday's fine and has not indicated he will do so.
Charlie Riedel
Yes — based upon the absence of just cause; whether the player actually was engaged in such conduct; whether the punishment imposed by the NFL was warranted for that conduct; and a variety of other allowable bases.
Rodgers appealed the decision to not accept his treatments as equal to a vaccination but lost the appeal. He has not yet appealed Tuesday's fine and has not indicated he will do so.
Dennis Young: ESPN’s Adam Schefter can’t stop embarrassing himself
Ross D. Franklin
Repeat violations would subject players to increased discipline, including for conduct detrimental to the game. A maximum fine of one week’s salary and/or suspension without pay for four weeks or less would be imposed.
Ross D. Franklin
Repeat violations would subject players to increased discipline, including for conduct detrimental to the game. A maximum fine of one week’s salary and/or suspension without pay for four weeks or less would be imposed.
Dennis Young: ESPN’s Adam Schefter can’t stop embarrassing himself
Phelan M. Ebenhack
All 32 NFL teams are required to ensure a safe environment not only at their facilities but at stadiums and during travel. They also are required to monitor the actions of players and staff, which includes taking around-the-clock videos at their facilities.
Players also must inform the team if they are vaccinated, and those who are not must adhere to specific protocols for them. The NFL found that the Packers did not handle these situations properly.
Phelan M. Ebenhack
All 32 NFL teams are required to ensure a safe environment not only at their facilities but at stadiums and during travel. They also are required to monitor the actions of players and staff, which includes taking around-the-clock videos at their facilities.
Players also must inform the team if they are vaccinated, and those who are not must adhere to specific protocols for them. The NFL found that the Packers did not handle these situations properly.
Dennis Young: ESPN’s Adam Schefter can’t stop embarrassing himself
Michael Conroy
Yes, but it is unlikely. After several teams were discovered to have violated protocols in 2020 — leading to COVID-19 outbreaks and, at times, schedule adjustments — only one, New Orleans, was stripped of a 2022 sixth-round pick. The Saints were sanctioned by the league for inconsistent cooperation. The Packers have not been cited for that.
Michael Conroy
Yes, but it is unlikely. After several teams were discovered to have violated protocols in 2020 — leading to COVID-19 outbreaks and, at times, schedule adjustments — only one, New Orleans, was stripped of a 2022 sixth-round pick. The Saints were sanctioned by the league for inconsistent cooperation. The Packers have not been cited for that.
Dennis Young: ESPN’s Adam Schefter can’t stop embarrassing himself
Mike McGregor/Getty Images North America/TNS
Sports media figure Adam Schefter attends the Annual Charity Day Hosted By Cantor Fitzgerald And BGC at the Cantor Fitzgerald Office on Sept. 11, 2013, in New York. (Mike McGregor/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald/TNS)
Mike McGregor/Getty Images North America/TNS
Sports media figure Adam Schefter attends the Annual Charity Day Hosted By Cantor Fitzgerald And BGC at the Cantor Fitzgerald Office on Sept. 11, 2013, in New York. (Mike McGregor/Getty Images for Cantor Fitzgerald/TNS)
