Ron Franklin
Encyclopedia
Ron Franklin is an American
sportscaster
, most notably with ESPN
, where he was employed from 1987-2011. He was fired by ESPN on January 4, 2011 after allegedly making sexist comments to and then berating a colleague.
He is married with one child. Franklin lives in Austin, Texas
.
when he was 14. While a high school student, he suffered a head injury in high school that resulted in the formation of a blood clot that both ended his football career made him ineligible for the military. Around the same time he found work as a teen disc jockey
, which got him interested in combining his interests in broadcasting and sports.
While a student at the University of Mississippi
, Franklin got a job at a radio station. He would work the wake-up shift, attend classes during the day, and then return to the station in the evening to work on commercials. For further vocal training, he performed in college theater. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon
fraternity.
Prior to ESPN, he was basketball and football play-by-play commentator for the University of Texas from 1983-1988. He was also the play-by-play voice of the Houston Oilers from 1971-1982. He also worked as sports director for four different local news stations including: KSWS in Roswell, New Mexico
in 1965, KVOO
in Tulsa, Oklahoma
from 1967–1971, KHOU-TV
and KPRC-TV
, both in Houston, Texas
from 1971–1980 and 1980-1987 respectively.
and college football
. From 1987 to 2005, he anchored ESPN College Football Primetime
primarily with Mike Gottfried
, but in 2006, he moved over to ESPN2 College Football Primetime
with Ed Cunningham
. In 2007, that crew moved to ESPN on ABC
to call mainly Big 12 games. In college basketball
, he is the primary ESPN play-by-play man with Fran Fraschilla
for Big 12 games. The duo also calls the NIT
Championship. Also, in the past, he has called the tennis French Open, college baseball
and the U.S. Olympic Festival.
He signed a contract extension with ESPN
in 2006.
, during a game between Notre Dame
and Purdue
that Franklin was calling, sideline reporter Holly Rowe
praised Purdue
defensive coordinator Brock Spack
for using all three timeouts on defense despite trailing by four touchdowns late in the game. "If the coaches are giving up," Rowe added, "what does that say to the players?" Franklin responded: "Holly, it's not giving up. It's 49-21, sweetheart."
In response to that, Mo Davenport, senior coordinating producer for college football said, "It was an inappropriate comment, and we've communicated that to Ron. There's never a reason to say something so mean-spirited. Ron apologized. We dealt with it internally."
Ever since Franklin was dropped from the Saturday primetime games on ESPN
in 2005, some fans and bloggers have expressed their displeasure with the demotion. Richard Deitsch of SI.com wrote about how many people were displeased about the move.
on December 31, 2010, Franklin addressed sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards in a condescending tone as "sweet baby"; when she objected, Franklin called her an "asshole
". The incident was reported to ESPN by another colleague, and ESPN tried to pull Franklin from the Chick Fil-A coverage that night but was unable; instead, Franklin was removed from ESPN Radio
's coverage of the 2011 Fiesta Bowl
the following day.
Franklin apologized for his remarks the following Monday and said he deserved to be pulled from the Fiesta Bowl. However, ESPN fired Franklin the following day; in a statement, ESPN noted, "Based on what occurred last Friday, we have ended our relationship with him."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
sportscaster
Sportscaster
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
, most notably with ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, where he was employed from 1987-2011. He was fired by ESPN on January 4, 2011 after allegedly making sexist comments to and then berating a colleague.
He is married with one child. Franklin lives in Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
.
Early life and career
Franklin grew up in Hazelhurst, Mississippi. His mother allowed him to play sports in school as long as he also agreed to take voice lessons. His family moved to Oxford, MississippiOxford, Mississippi
Oxford is a city in, and the county seat of, Lafayette County, Mississippi, United States. Founded in 1835, it was named after the British university city of Oxford in hopes of having the state university located there, which it did successfully attract....
when he was 14. While a high school student, he suffered a head injury in high school that resulted in the formation of a blood clot that both ended his football career made him ineligible for the military. Around the same time he found work as a teen disc jockey
Disc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
, which got him interested in combining his interests in broadcasting and sports.
While a student at the University of Mississippi
University of Mississippi
The University of Mississippi, also known as Ole Miss, is a public, coeducational research university located in Oxford, Mississippi. Founded in 1844, the school is composed of the main campus in Oxford, four branch campuses located in Booneville, Grenada, Tupelo, and Southaven as well as the...
, Franklin got a job at a radio station. He would work the wake-up shift, attend classes during the day, and then return to the station in the evening to work on commercials. For further vocal training, he performed in college theater. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Sigma Alpha Epsilon is a North American Greek-letter social college fraternity founded at the University of Alabama on March 9, 1856. Of all existing national social fraternities today, Sigma Alpha Epsilon is the only one founded in the Antebellum South...
fraternity.
Prior to ESPN, he was basketball and football play-by-play commentator for the University of Texas from 1983-1988. He was also the play-by-play voice of the Houston Oilers from 1971-1982. He also worked as sports director for four different local news stations including: KSWS in Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell, New Mexico
Roswell is a city in and the county seat of Chaves County in the southeastern quarter of the state of New Mexico, United States. The population was 48,366 at the 2010 census. It is a center for irrigation farming, dairying, ranching, manufacturing, distribution, and petroleum production. It is also...
in 1965, KVOO
KFAQ
KFAQ is a news/talk radio station in the Tulsa, Oklahoma, area. The station is owned by Journal Broadcast Group and airs a mix of local and national talk shows. The station is an ABC News Radio affiliate...
in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tulsa is the second-largest city in the state of Oklahoma and 46th-largest city in the United States. With a population of 391,906 as of the 2010 census, it is the principal municipality of the Tulsa Metropolitan Area, a region with 937,478 residents in the MSA and 988,454 in the CSA. Tulsa's...
from 1967–1971, KHOU-TV
KHOU-TV
KHOU is the CBS affiliate television station in Houston, Texas. Serving Greater Houston, it is owned by the Belo Corporation and broadcasts on digital and PSIP channel 11...
and KPRC-TV
KPRC-TV
KPRC-TV is the NBC affiliated television station based in Houston, Texas, and serving the Greater Houston television market. It has studios located in the Sharpstown district on the Southwest portion of the city, and has a transmitter site in unincorporated Fort Bend County near Missouri City...
, both in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
from 1971–1980 and 1980-1987 respectively.
ESPN
While at ESPN, he primarily worked as a play-by-play commentator for ESPN's coverage of college basketballCollege basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
and college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
. From 1987 to 2005, he anchored ESPN College Football Primetime
ESPN College Football Saturday Primetime
ESPN College Football Primetime is a live game presentation of Division 1-A college football on ESPN. In the past, the presenting sponsors have been Polaroid and AT&T. The current presenting sponsor is Hampton Hotels. The game telecast airs every Saturday night at 7:45pm ET during the college...
primarily with Mike Gottfried
Mike Gottfried
-External links:*...
, but in 2006, he moved over to ESPN2 College Football Primetime
ESPN2 College Football Saturday Primetime
ESPN2 College Football Primetime is a live game presentation of Division 1-A college football on ESPN2. In the past, the primary sponsors have been Polaroid, AT&T and GoDaddy.com. Like its ESPN counterpart, the current presenting sponsor of this version is Hampton Hotels. The game telecast airs...
with Ed Cunningham
Ed Cunningham
Ed Cunningham is a former professional American football player who played center for five seasons for the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks. Prior to his professional career, Cunningham played center for the University of Washington Huskies, helping them win a National Championship in 1991...
. In 2007, that crew moved to ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the brand used for sports programming on the ABC television network. Officially the broadcast network retains its own sports division; however, for all practical purposes, ABC's sports division has been merged with ESPN, a sports cable network majority-owned by ABC's parent, The...
to call mainly Big 12 games. In college basketball
College basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
, he is the primary ESPN play-by-play man with Fran Fraschilla
Fran Fraschilla
-External links:*...
for Big 12 games. The duo also calls the NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
Championship. Also, in the past, he has called the tennis French Open, college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
and the U.S. Olympic Festival.
He signed a contract extension with ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
in 2006.
Holly Rowe incident
On October 1, 2005, according to the Chicago TribuneChicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
, during a game between Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
and Purdue
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
that Franklin was calling, sideline reporter Holly Rowe
Holly Rowe
Holly Rowe is a sports telecaster currently working for the sports television network, ESPN. Rowe is best known as a sideline reporter for college football games which are telecast on ESPN.- History with ESPN :...
praised Purdue
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
defensive coordinator Brock Spack
Brock Spack
Brock Spack is the head coach of Illinois State University football. He was appointed to the position in December 2008. Previously, he was the defensive coordinator at Purdue University under Joe Tiller.-References:...
for using all three timeouts on defense despite trailing by four touchdowns late in the game. "If the coaches are giving up," Rowe added, "what does that say to the players?" Franklin responded: "Holly, it's not giving up. It's 49-21, sweetheart."
In response to that, Mo Davenport, senior coordinating producer for college football said, "It was an inappropriate comment, and we've communicated that to Ron. There's never a reason to say something so mean-spirited. Ron apologized. We dealt with it internally."
Ever since Franklin was dropped from the Saturday primetime games on ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
in 2005, some fans and bloggers have expressed their displeasure with the demotion. Richard Deitsch of SI.com wrote about how many people were displeased about the move.
Jeannine Edwards incident
During a production meeting prior to ESPN's telecast of the Chick-fil-A BowlChick-fil-A Bowl
The Chick-fil-A Bowl, formerly called the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, and before that simply called the Peach Bowl, is an annual college football bowl game played in Atlanta, Georgia since December 1968. The first three Peach Bowls were played at Grant Field on the Georgia Tech campus in Atlanta....
on December 31, 2010, Franklin addressed sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards in a condescending tone as "sweet baby"; when she objected, Franklin called her an "asshole
Asshole
The word asshole, a variant of arsehole, which is still prevalent in British and Australian English, is a term used pejoratively to describe the anus.-History:...
". The incident was reported to ESPN by another colleague, and ESPN tried to pull Franklin from the Chick Fil-A coverage that night but was unable; instead, Franklin was removed from ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio
ESPN Radio is an American sports radio network. It was launched on January 1, 1992 under the original banner of "SportsRadio ESPN." ESPN Radio is located at ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut...
's coverage of the 2011 Fiesta Bowl
2011 Fiesta Bowl
The 2011 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game was a post-season college football bowl game played as part of the 2011 Bowl Championship Series of the 2010 NCAA Division I FBS football season...
the following day.
Franklin apologized for his remarks the following Monday and said he deserved to be pulled from the Fiesta Bowl. However, ESPN fired Franklin the following day; in a statement, ESPN noted, "Based on what occurred last Friday, we have ended our relationship with him."