LaVar Ball’s mouth has reportedly gotten him banned from one of the largest sports platforms in the world. According to The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch, ESPN will no longer feature Ball on any of its platforms after his inappropriate comments to Molly Qerim on Monday’s episode of ‘First Take.’
Ball’s appearance on the show was to discuss the Anthony Davis trade that sent his son, Lonzo Ball, from the Lakers to the Pelicans. Qerim asked Ball if she could “switch gears” in the conversation, to which Ball responded, “You can switch gears with me anytime.” That comment didn’t sit well with Qerim, the co-hosts, or many viewers. During the closing remarks on the show, Qerim remarked,
“If anyone is calling HR today, it‘s me.”
Deitsch, an ESPN spokesperson, tweeted the announcement of Ball’s alleged ban stating they have “no plans moving forward” to have Ball as an on-air guest or an on-the-record source for digital or a background source for ESPN. The tweet read, “There will be no LaVar Ball on any ESPN platform heading forward — at least as of now. Asked if Ball will be used as an on-air guest, an on-the-record source for digital, or a background source for ESPN, an ESPN spokesperson said, “We have no plans moving forward.”
A representative for Ball issued a statement to TMZ following the live show, insisting that Ball’s comment was “at NO time intended or meant to be sexual in nature.” However, ESPN has condemned Ball and called his comment “completely inappropriate.”
Despite Ball’s alleged banishment, LaVar Ball’s manager, Denise White, said her client has already been asked to appear on ESPN Radio for a weekly segment. “Before putting out false information, you should do your homework,” she wrote in a tweet. “#Lavarbigballer was on #espn radio this morning and has been asked to be a guest weekly for their affiliate. This has bee exploited into something it wasn’t. There was no intent! Your clickbait is wrong.”
White also called out various news outlets like Complex Sport and Dime UPROXX for reporting on the ban as well.
LaVar shooting his shot at Molly Qerim during First Take interview? Jalen Rose gonna bust him up lol pic.twitter.com/HeIB9CFIxH
— gifdsports (@gifdsports) June 17, 2019
