ESPN Will Remove Offending Ad
February 2, 2009 by Ted Rybka, GLAAD's Director of Sports Media
I just got off the phone with Stephanie Turner, Associate Director of Diversity at ESPN regarding ESPN’s promotional ad with Shaquille O’Neal and Mike Breen. The ad shows Breen attempting to fist bump Shaq, but instead of calling it a fist bump, Breen names it a “fist kiss.”
Shaq moves away from Breen in revulsion and tells him, “You’re a weirdo man. Stay over there. Fist kiss. Disgusting.”
Tuner said that ESPN will remove the ad and an apology is forthcoming. I will post ESPN’s statement as soon as I receive it.
Mike Breen and Shaquille O’Neal
[...] As promised, ESPN has issued an apology for its airing of the Shaquille O’Neal/Mike Breen promotional spot. [...]