Former Boston Globe columnist Bob Ryan was suspended by ESPN for comments he made about Mark Jackson during a radio interview earlier this month.
Ryan was a guest on Dan Le Batard’s radio show Jan. 6 and blasted Jackson, calling the former Golden State Warriors coach and current ESPN NBA commentator a “Bible-pounding phony.”
“I am on record, thank God, publicly saying two years ago, I looked at the NBA, I looked at the rosters and what was going on, and said, “The most talented team one through eight, at least, in the NBA is the Golden State Warriors. They’re doing okay, but I know that they can do better. I know if they had a real coach, not some phony, Bible-pounding phony that Mark Jackson is, when he isn’t even a legitimate Bible pounder, I know that they’ll be better off,” Ryan said (you can listen to the comments here).
Le Batard was surprised by Ryan’s harsh remarks and pointed out that the comments were savage. Ryan did not back down.
“Yeah, because he’s a phony. That’s all. Well, I’m sorry, but it’s the truth. And I can’t believe they took him back on that broadcast. Oh my God. He’s a con man, and he’s done very well at it. I’ll give him credit for being a great one.”
A day after the comments circulated online, Ryan apologized.
I made personal & disparaging radio remarks about Mark Jackson that were way over the top. Have reached out to Mark with my sincere apology.
— Bob Ryan (@GlobeBobRyan) January 7, 2016
ESPN also made a statement about the matter two days later.
“Bob’s comments were inappropriate and personal. We have addressed it with him. He recognizes he was wrong.”
On Saturday night, SI’s Richard Deitsch speculated that Ryan may have been suspended.
Was Bob Ryan suspended for his comments about Mark Jackson? ESPN said this (https://t.co/qamiqYn8JY) & tonight declined further comment…..
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) January 24, 2016
The Big Lead dug further and reported on Sunday that Ryan was suspended for the comments. Ryan did return to ESPN’s airwaves Sunday, appearing on “Sports Reporters.” He will also appear on “Around the Horn” this week.
What’s interesting is that even though Ryan called Jackson a phony and had negative remarks about his job done in Golden State, a report came out this week saying LeBron James wanted Jackson to coach the Cavaliers.
