A lawsuit that was filed against ESPN by a former employee contains a troubling claim about the way Chris Berman treated Jemele Hill, according to a report.
TMZ obtained a copy of the lawsuit that was filed by former on-air personality Adrienne Lawrence accusing ESPN of harboring a work environment that is hostile toward women. In the suit, Lawrence cites an incident involving Berman and Hill from 2016 in which Berman allegedly left his coworker a “threatening and racially disparaging voicemail.” Lawrence says Hill informed a superior about what had happened and the complaint was ignored.
Here’s more:
“In early 2016, ESPN’s ‘The Undefeated’ personality Jemele Hill received a threatening and racially disparaging voicemail from Berman on her ESPN phone line.”
Lawrence claims Hill notified ESPN executive Marcia Keegan — who oversaw Hill’s show, “His & Hers” — but ultimately “nothing was done.”
Lawrence claims Berman has been involved in multiple incidents involving mistreatment of women — but “remains a celebrated and welcome ESPN employee.”
Lawrence’s lawsuit also states that ESPN anchor John Buccigross made unwanted advances toward her and spread rumors throughout the company that the two were in a relationship. ESPN has since stood by Buccigross and even released text messages in an attempt to prove his innocence.
