Look in the mirror

Sporting News, The, Feb 24, 2003 by Fritz Quindt

* Look in the mirror: Was listening--on ESPN, naturally--as the athletic director for LeBron James High School announced the plug was being pulled on The Worldwide Leader televising the prep phenom's game on four days' notice. He said, "Enough is enough," and I half-nodded. Then he cited, "We have been getting some bad press from ESPN and other media." That fresh accusation merited a double take.

Previously, the party line went:. ESPN Inc. was exploiting James by airing two of his team's games. Never mind that he was already scheduled for local pay-per-view exposure, or that ESPN's ratings proved America wanted to watch him play up to the hype, or that the publicity will benefit the school long after he graduates. Now SportsCenter, et al., are villainous for reporting on Hummer and retro-jersey payola and suspensions and appeals?