Erin Andrews released a statement through her team expressing her stance on Charissa Thompson’s comments.
Erin Andrews has clarified her position on Charissa Thompson’s statements on a podcast last week. Thompson admitted last week that as a sideline reporter, she would make up information if she couldn’t reach a head coach or a player. This has since sparked debate among industry sideline reporters.
Erin Andrews, Thompson’s co-host of the “Calm Down” podcast, indicated in a podcast with her two years ago that she would do the same thing. Jill Fritzo, Erin Andrews’ representative, issued a comment to the New York Times on the matter.
“For her entire career, Erin Andrews has worked very closely with coaches, players and P.R. staff to ensure accuracy in her reporting.”
Erin Andrews’ camp speaks out on past reveal of sideline reporting embellishments https://t.co/crADJqNadA pic.twitter.com/d65x7Uw6TQ
— New York Post (@nypost) November 19, 2023
Fritzo went on to say that if Erin Andrews couldn’t acquire answers on the sidelines, she would depend on past knowledge and study. Andrews has been a FOX Sports NFL sideline reporter since 2012.
Charissa Thompson expressed regret for her remarks.
Charissa Thompson was recently featured on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take.” Thompson, who currently hosts Amazon Prime and FOX Sports’ NFL coverage, mentioned her stint as a sideline reporter.
She stated that in the past, she said that if she did not have the opportunity to meet with a coach, she made up the facts. She mentioned this for the first time on her “Calm Down” podcast with Andrews.
“I’ve said it before and haven’t been fired for it, so I’ll say it again… I’d make up the report because the coach wouldn’t come out at halftime or it was too late, and I didn’t want to mess up the report, so I’d say, ‘I’m just going to make this up.’
Thompson received criticism from other sideline reporters after her comments on “Pardon My Take.” Tracy Wolfson of CBS, Molly McGrath of ESPN, and former NBC reporter Michele Tafoya all reacted angrily, stating Charissa Thompson was wrong to do so.
The FOX Sports personality then apologized on Instagram, apologizing if her sentiments were misconstrued.
“All right, let’s start with the elephant in the room. “I owe it to myself and my employers to clarify what is being reported,” Thompson stated. “When on a podcast this week, I said I would make up reports early in my career when I worked as a sideline reporter before I transitioned to my current host role.”
“As someone who works in the media, I understand the importance of words, and I chose the wrong ones to describe the situation.” I apologize. “I have never lied or been unethical in my career as a sports broadcaster,” she continued.
Charissa Thompson said, “I used the wrong words to express my feelings.” She recognizes the importance of the sideline reporter’s work and has never taken it for granted.
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