ESPN employees instructed to keep ‘incendiary’ comments about Dana White at bay following slap scandal

ESPN employees instructed to keep ‘incendiary’ comments about Dana White at bay following slap scandal

Dana White wearing an ESPN T-Shirt (Image Courtesy - The Big Lead)

Dana White slapping his wife on New Year’s Eve has now risen to the next level. Critics question the integrity of UFC streaming service, ESPN, and parent company, Endeavor for staying mum on the issue.

Five days after the video showing Dana White and his wife getting into an ugly altercation at a night club, ESPN’s leading broadcaster, Stephen A Smith decided to speak on the issue. In the latest segment on First Take, Smith revealed that he reached out to White before going on record to comment about his mis-step.

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While many slammed Stephen A Smith for “taking it easy” on the UFC President, ESPN employee, Jeff Wagenheim has put out a tweet that has rattled fans. The writer’s tweet suggests ESPN has been doing damage control after the controversial video leaked.

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“We’ve been told to not write anything incendiary on social media about the Dana White situation, and I understand why and have abided by that. I just ask y’all to understand that some of us at ESPN do not have as soft a take as this on domestic violence,” wrote the ESPN writer.

Related: Endeavor shares plummet after video of UFC boss Dana White slapping wife in nightclub goes viral

Stephen A Smith’s take on Dana White’s situation

Dana White
Dana White

Stephen A Smith is no stranger to handling controversial subjects on his show, “First Take“. The veteran broadcaster has addressed several scandals which took place in the sports world. Smith is a close associate of Dana White. In the recent First Take episode, SAS spoke about the scandal with transparency.

Smith started by saying, “We have to maintain consistency” regarding domestic violence. “You do not put your hands on a woman if you’re a man. You do not do it! Dana White knows that” added the ESPN host. Smith believes White shouldn’t exempt himself from facing consequences.

“You owe it to your audience, to be honest, and forthcoming,” were Stephen A Smith’s advice to White. The ESPN host also wished the UFC chief and his family the best in the end.

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