Erin Andrews
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 20: Commentator Erin Andrews of ESPN reports from the sidelines as the University of Miami Hurricanes host the Texas A&M Aggies at the Orange Bowl on September 20, 2007 in Miami, Florida. Miami won 31-17. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews
ESPN
OMAHA, NE - JUNE 23: ESPN sideline reporter Erin Andrews interviews head coach David Perno #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Fresno State Bulldogs during Game 1 of the 2008 Men's College World Series Championship June 23, 2008 at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, Nebraska. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images
ST PETERSBURG, FL - July 2: Erin Andrews of ESPN watches infielder Evan Longoria #3 of the Tampa Bay Rays after play against the Boston Red Sox July 2, 2008 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 20: Commentator Erin Andrews of ESPN reports from the sidelines as the University of Miami Hurricanes host the Texas A&M Aggies at the Orange Bowl on September 20, 2007 in Miami, Florida. Miami won 31-17. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
Ohio State football coach Jim Tressel, right, shows ESPN reporter Erin Andrews his No.20 jersey before the Ohio State, Michigan State basketball game Saturday, January, 27, 2007, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Terry Gilliam)
Terry Gilliam, AP
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 20: Commentator Erin Andrews of ESPN reports from the sidelines as the University of Miami Hurricanes host the Texas A&M Aggies at the Orange Bowl on September 20, 2007 in Miami, Florida. Miami won 31-17. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 20: Commentator Erin Andrews of ESPN reports from the sidelines as the University of Miami Hurricanes host the Texas A&M Aggies at the Orange Bowl on September 20, 2007 in Miami, Florida. Miami won 31-17. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
ST PETERSBURG, FL - July 2: Erin Andrews of ESPN (right) talks with infielder Evan Longoria #3 of the Tampa Bay Rays after play against the Boston Red Sox July 2, 2008 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
ST PETERSBURG, FL - July 2: Erin Andrews of ESPN reports from the field as the Tampa Bay Rays host the Boston Red Sox July 2, 2008 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Al Messerschmidt, Getty Images
Mike Nadel was highly critical of Erin Andrews in a recent column entitled "Blonde bombshell can't distract red-hot Cubs". Nadel essentially called Andrews out for her outfit (which was "designed to accentuate her, um, positives") and her behavior around the athletes (touching Alfonso Soriano's bicep), as well as the athletes behavior towards her (Lou Piniella asking her if she was "on a modeling assignment").
Piniella was asking in a joking and complimentary manner, but there was nothing funny nor nice about Nadel's column. Michael Rand (Randball!) caught up with Andrews to get her thoughts on his column and she was not impressed.
"I think my overall reaction is that it's really sad that in 2008 ... I have people watching every single move I make," Andrews said. "When there's a big game between the Cubs and Brewers going on, it's sad that that's what their focus is on. ... And the last thing I had heard is that when you want to do a story on someone, you contact them."Frankly, I tend to agree with Andrews. But only in the sense that Nadel had no business attacking her personally with his column, especially without even speaking with her. Even though, according to his interview with Deadspin, he did not intend to do that (but rather to attack the "Erin Andrewsness" going on the world today), it still came off that way.
Now, to examine the other side of the coin, Andrews mentions that many of these athletes look at her like "a daughter". Um, no. I am not buying that. Not that I believe Sweet Lou is trying to hit on Andrews, but I refuse to believe that all of these professional athletes are just buddy-buddy-buddy with EA and thinking strictly platonic thoughts.
So, in that sense Nadel is kind of right on. The problem is that there's no real black and white answer to this debate. ESPN abuses Andrews to a degree by giving her as much attention as possible. Andrews is an attractive woman -- albeit very good at what she does professionally -- who wears clothes that occasionally accentuate her looks (although, in fairness, I find her to be a pretty conservative dresser). And players probably treat her more courteously because she's attractive.
It is, unfortunately, how the world works a lot of the time. Neither Nadel or Andrews are 100% right or wrong. The nice thing about the little blog-war level tiff is that at least we get the issue shoved right in our collective face to actually discuss it -- because it certainly merits at least that.

































Reader Comments (Page 1 of 20)
8-02-2008 @ 9:07PM
steve said...
Who is Mike Nadel??
Reply
8-21-2008 @ 12:23PM
Raymond Richardson said...
Who is Erin Andrews?
8-02-2008 @ 10:11PM
j said...
yeh who is he,,,,,,,,and she is hotttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt
8-02-2008 @ 10:12PM
Cindi said...
Women reproters are closely monitored by other media when they go into male locker rooms. Andrews has failed the test. She appears to be looking for a date, rather than an itnerview. A Chicago sports writer wrote that Cubs' players were snickering behind Andrews' back as she "felt" her way thru the locker room. Stereotypes die hard, and Andrews is not making it any easier for other women reporters.
8-02-2008 @ 10:51PM
GV Giant said...
A blow-hard Chicago apologist, nothing more. For some reason, they make people like that journalists in Illinois.
Then if you criticize them (like this) you get this look of utter cluelessness from Ill-annoyans, because to them bozos like this are the greatest thing since sliced bread. And to say he is not one of a kind, especially in the Chicago market, is an understatement.
I have read Nadal's columns. Dave Kingman, when he wrote a spiteful occasional column against Chicago in his baseball playing days had much better insight and observation than Nadal has ever had.
8-03-2008 @ 12:10AM
Keith said...
If you got it "flaunt it", and she does a good job.
8-03-2008 @ 9:29AM
Gary said...
Lord, just because she happens to fill out the clothes WARDROBE gives her to wear, people have to jump on her because now she's a "golddigger".
Sorry guys, but ESPN is Disney and Disney dictates what their on-camera people wear while on a visual assignment. Erin looks good in anything and Disney knows this......Disney's the pimp in this situation.
8-03-2008 @ 11:17AM
Art said...
MIKE WHO? What me worry?
8-02-2008 @ 9:12PM
zed said...
mike MUST BE gay
Reply
8-02-2008 @ 9:15PM
harley said...
lol shed distract me i forgot what i was doing lol
Reply
8-02-2008 @ 9:23PM
Shawn said...
Erin Andrews is not fooling anyone, she is dressing to show off her goods and flirty because she is trying to score a Big money meal ticket. Gold digger in disguise behind an ESPN Microphone.
You are not fooling anyone Erin so save it already with the miss innocent act.
Reply
8-02-2008 @ 10:12PM
? said...
Who cares if she uses what she has?! That's part of why she was hired for her job. You don't see many ugly, old, unfashionable people reporting on any channel these days, let alone ESPN. Look at the demographics of the channel for cryin' out loud. MEN are watching and MEN are paying her salary as well as everybody else at that channel. Your comments could be directed at ANY "good-looking" male or female news reporter on any channel. Welcome to modern America, misogynistic crybaby!
8-03-2008 @ 1:54AM
Misti said...
Are you retarded? Do you think every woman who puts on a nice outfit is trying to attract a date? Furthermore, do you really think you have the right to judge somebody so harshly over what (s)he wore on a certain day? How do her actions even lean towards her being a gold digger?
8-03-2008 @ 9:23AM
Dave said...
Somebody is very jealous....Don't worry little buddy...a pretty girl will like you one day...By the way, not all pretty women are gold diggers but why wouldn't she want someone in the similar field, in shape and lots of cash?
8-03-2008 @ 9:53AM
Angel *) said...
Bleh! How caddy
She's a beautiful woman that would probably look hot in a garbage bag... I see no cleavage showing nor short skirts, just an awesome looking women that happens to have brains too!
8-03-2008 @ 10:01AM
Chris said...
Shawn, I have to say that you must either be a Puritan or an idiot, she knows sports, so what if she looks good. As another person mentioned, WARDROBE picks her clothes out and Disney is not about to "pimp" anyone or anything out in that sense, sure they are out to make a buck, but Disney is family oriented, so get over it already. Grow up, if you don't like her don't watch her, change the channel, in case you did not know that is what the remote control can do.
Oh and Nadel shut up, you are just another ugly person with delusions of grandeur. Another person mentioned that you know squat and have no incite into sports and they are right! Nuff Said!
8-03-2008 @ 12:17PM
Scott said...
Just keep showing your ignorance-her job is to look as good/professional as possible and be a professional/competent reporter. If she dressed like a slob, you idiots would slam her and tell her to be more presentable on TV. The idiot ballplayers would laugh at anything-they are overpaid whiners playing a child's game and getting paid very handsomely to do it. Maybe they should focus on the game going on and not the reporter anyway. Why is it that, other than idiots like yourself, the people that complain are jealous women. Who is Mike Nadel anyway?
8-02-2008 @ 9:27PM
Jerry said...
Personally, this whole politically correct nonsense has gone too far. Physical appearance is simply an attribute. It should not be discounted and should be used as anyone would use brains, athletism or any other attribute. Television news is a visual media. Those that LOOK good should have a leg up.
Reply
8-02-2008 @ 9:29PM
Bobby said...
Father images? HA!
No woman in the world is that naive anymore.
She knows what she's doing but like all the other "cards" being played nowadays it's everyone else's fault for stating the obvious....
Reply
8-02-2008 @ 9:30PM
Chesty Puller said...
She is a HO, looking for that golden ticket. She will marry a ballplayer someday, and be divorced within 5 years with a big settlement.
Reply