Popular "Pardon the Interruption" co-host Tony Kornheiser earned himself a two-week suspension from the show as the result of some harsh criticism.While he makes his living with commentary and criticism, the subject of Kornheiser's criticism last Friday on his radio show in Washington, D.C., was a fellow ESPN employee, "SportsCenter" anchor Hannah Storm. And Kornheiser did something that usually proves fatal in the court of public opinion -- he criticized a woman's clothing choices.
He called an outfit Storm, 47, was wearing "horrifying" with a "very, very tight" shirt and a skirt that was "way too short for somebody her age."
While Kornheiser apologized during the same show ("I apologize, unequivocally. I'm a sarcastic, subversive guy ... I'm a troll, look at me. I have no right to insult what anybody looks like or what anybody wears. That, I think, should go without saying.") in which he made the critical remarks, ESPN officials apparently mulled the matter and decided three business days later, on Tuesday, to take action.
ESPN executive vice president of content John Skipper released this statement: "Tony Kornheiser's comments about Hannah Storm were entirely inappropriate. Hurtful and personal comments such as these are not acceptable and have significant consequences. Tony has been suspended from PTI for two weeks. Hannah is a respected colleague who has been an integral part of the success of our morning SportsCenter."