ESPN Fires Announcer Ron Franklin Over Sexist Remarks

Veteran ESPN sportscaster Ron Franklin has been fired after he reportedly made sexist comments to sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards, calling her in a condescending tone "sweet baby" or "sweetcakes," according to different accounts, as well as an "a**hole." The termination follows a media firestorm yesterday when word of the incident, which had happened during a staff meeting on Friday, leaked. It forced Franklin, a 20-year ESPN veteran who called mostly college football and basketball games, to issue a public apology. That wasn't enough. "Based on what occurred last Friday, we have ended our relationship with him," an ESPN spokesman said in a statement.