ESPN has confirmed that sideline reporter Erin Andrews was the victim of an egregious invasion of privacy, in which someone videotaped an undressed EA in her hotel room through a peephole and posted the results to the Internet. Marshall B. Grossman, a high-powered lawyer representing Andrews, put out a release late Friday promising a push to bring criminal and civil charges to the unknown videographer as well as "anyone who has published the material."ESPN released a brief statement Saturday vowing the network's support of Andrews as she deals with the situation.
Grossman wrote the following for a press release distributed widely by his firm:
"While alone in the privacy of her hotel room, Erin Andrews was surreptitiously videotaped without her knowledge or consent. She was the victim of a crime and is taking action to protect herself and help ensure that others are not similarly violated in the future. Although the perpetrator or perpetrators of this criminal act have not yet been identified, when they are identified she intends to bring both civil and criminal charges against them and against anyone who has published the material. We request respect of Erin's privacy at this time, while she and her representatives are working with the authorities."
Deadspin's post ended up sending the story into overdrive, where it currently resides. (As of this posting, Andrews is involved in two of the top 10 Google hot trends for Saturday, narrowly edged by Tom Watson at the British Open.) Deadspin editor A.J. Daulerio has since apologized for calling attention to the particular blog where the video was most recently posted. Though the video had already been removed, knowing where it was has given savvy web users a virtual roadmap to the video.
There will be a time for delving deeper into the root causes of the type of behavior that results in the criminal action Andrews has to deal with. But suffice to say that while misogyny is not limited to Internet culture, a wide swath of sports blogs -- dominated by the young male demographic -- enable the sort of gross attitude that makes something like this seem like a conquest instead of a violation.
Bloggers can't police the world, but they can police their own writing and the general tone their blog embodies regarding the female perspective. Many don't, and that's at least in part to blame for the disgusting objectification that leads someone to videotape a sideline reporter through a hotel peephole.
Sports Internet Scandals
While undressed in her hotel room, popular ESPN reporter Erin Andrews was videotaped through a peephole, and the resulting footage was posted on the Internet. Now her lawyer vows that civil and criminal charges will be filed against the perpetrator(s). Click through to see more web scandals from the sports world.
Jamie Squire, Getty Images
Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios apologized after his profane exchange with a heckler was captured on video and uploaded to YouTube in early June. "That's not the person that I am," Rios said.
Mark Cunningham, MLB / Getty Images
Just days after British tabloid News of the World published this photo of Michael Phelps with a marijuana pipe, USA Swimming suspended the Olympic legend from competition for three months.
News of the World
In late January, Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett was reportedly fined $22,647 for a profane YouTube rap video in which he used derogatory terms for blacks and gays.
YouTube
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart took a dip in some hot water, both figuratively and literally, when Web site TheDirty.com released a photo of him partying with four women in a hot tub. The photo was even featured on SportsCenter and drew the ire of head coach Ken Whisenhunt.
thedirty.com
In 2008, controversial Mavericks star Josh Howard was caught on video disrespecting the national anthem before Allen Iverson's charity flag football game. Facing the camera during the anthem, Howard said, "I don't celebrate this s--t. I'm black."
YouTube
Redskins tight end Chris Cooley revealed a little too much private information when he snapped a photo of himself with the team playbook on his lap. Underneath the playbook, Cooley's penis was visible, and he later had to offer up a public apology on his personal blog.
Joe Robbins, Getty Images
Vince Young's 2008 season was full of more questions than game play for the Tennessee Titans. Some fans doubted Vince Young's commitment to the team when photos of him partying and swigging Patron tequila were leaked on the net.
Blogxilla.com
Jeff Reed became part of a running joke on sports blogs when numerous photos leaked of the Steelers kicker clubbing with his shirt off and hair gelled up to the heavens.
Deadspin.com
Even legends get caught in an awkward position from time to time. After Michael Jordan was photographed looking intoxicated, the "drunk athlete" snapshot became Photoshop material for dozens of sports sites.
Lioninoil.blogspot.com
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 9)
7-18-2009 @ 8:14PM
blueticklam said...
Where can I see it ?
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 8:27AM
Senora Broderick said...
You're a jerk. Guess you didn't read the last paragraph of the article you're blogging, because he's talking about people like YOU. You're too stupid to know you're openly pointing the finger at yourself. Go back to your dark closet.
7-18-2009 @ 9:37PM
Rick Butcher said...
Maybe not Playboy HOT but still...it would be hard to pass up taking a peek. But taping it and releasing the tape - scumbag stupid. Peepholes in hotel rooms, somebodys getting sued.
Reply
7-18-2009 @ 9:40PM
pumpkinsaga said...
Being beautiful does not mean being displayed without consent-I hope they find who allegedy taped her and prosecute them to fullest-she is a classy and professional sportscaster.
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 12:24PM
boomxxx1 said...
Reporters take photos of celebrities all the time without their consent. Now she knows what they must feel like.
7-21-2009 @ 12:17AM
olinr said...
This is a crime, and everyone should be offended by it. It doesn't matter the sex of the individual, why would anyone participate in spreading this video.
7-18-2009 @ 9:51PM
eztotouchme said...
While I being a guy, enjoy the female anatomy viewing from time to time, this is, like it or not, an invasion of privacy. Sadly the speed of the internet leaves little time for the male adult mind to edit itself. Why someone created a peephole though is as childish as in junior high school. It's a crime and the person or people that commited it should be sought out and punished before it becomes an epidemic.
Reply
7-18-2009 @ 9:58PM
Panger said...
While not a fan of Erin Andrews, I am sickened by this vile breach of her privacy. Through a hotel room peephole? I fervently hope they find the slug who did this and give him a hefty jail term... then video the whole thing.
Reply
7-18-2009 @ 11:12PM
Lakergregg said...
Whatever happened to chivalry and videotaping a lady through a drilled hole in the bathroom wall?
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 1:31PM
Adriana said...
ROFL...funny,but still wrong :0
7-19-2009 @ 2:13PM
MR.RICK said...
lakergregg- lmaooooo. that was classic. as wrong as the situation is... its a blessing to see a humorous approach. at least you werent ignorant and insensative. "she got naked on purpose, she wanted to be seen, its a publicity stunt"
its those fools who cease to amaze me.
7-18-2009 @ 11:31PM
greatqb44 said...
But suffice it to say that while misogyny is not limited to Internet culture, a wide swath of sports blogs -- dominated by the young male demographic -- enable the sort of gross attitude that makes something like this seem like a conquest instead of a violation.
Bloggers can't police the world, but they can police their own writing and the general tone their blog embodies regarding the female perspective. Many don't, and that's at least in part to blame for the disgusting objectification that leads someone to videotape a sideline reporter through a hotel peephole.
HEAL THY SELF
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 8:18AM
howzit dude said...
unfortunatly societies rush to political correctness and the general codification of "nothing sacred nothing profane" has left a gaping hole in our moral fabric...thy increasing "mistification of female anatomy" along with the nearly nothing look employed by this sect makes looking under the "fig leaf"....a little more enjoyable somehow
7-19-2009 @ 12:57AM
charliemoney3 said...
You know, people do the crazies things to gain Publicity. Who is promoting this young lady...just follow the money and get to the Real Story!
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 12:31PM
Mark in Iowa said...
That's just scary; to be in a hotel room and know someone is watching you. I mean, yes, I like to pictures of a pretty gal, but I won't go looking for that video out of respect for someone whose privacy was violated. How is she going to be alone in a hotel room now, knowing some degenerate is staring at her from a hole in the wall? Sorry that happened to her.
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 6:58AM
crossrabbswitch said...
More likely a scam by Andrews/ESPN to gain publicity. She should have in her contract some sort of a personal damage clause to protect herself, and ESPN has enough money/stroke to get this investigated, get someone arrested and thrown in prison. So, let' see what the blonde does next.
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 7:04AM
courtgolf said...
SO - if a "journalist" had done the taping, it would have been protected by the first amendement, but since it happened to a "journalist" (using the term VERY loosely in this case), it is a federal case.
Yes - it was wrong for someone to do this to Andrews - and it is also wrong for the media to invade other people's privacy and they need to learn that lesson.
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 11:41AM
dtanner71 said...
My thoughts exactly. I am sorry this happened to her, however I am sorry that journalists can do the exact same thing to others and be protected. I can understand her being furious, but now she knows what all of these celebs feel like that can't even go out in their yard without some pervert journalist snapping pictures. The media discusts me with their actions!!!!!!!
7-19-2009 @ 12:49PM
OJ said...
Great Point!
7-19-2009 @ 1:41PM
sharon said...
Payback can be a b...h huh. It's called karma. The repoters do this to people all the time so how is this not okay to have this done to one of theirs. The universe do have a sense of humor.