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Leah Hextall Felt Unwelcome in NHL Broadcast Booths

“It was just, to me, that I survived that, that I survived the mental attacks, I survived the outside attacks from social media, I survived the internal attacks from other people within the hockey world, I survived attacks from some of my colleagues not at ESPN but just different things I heard,” she said.

Jordan Bondurant

Published

2 years ago

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Leah Hextall

Last year ESPN made its triumphant return as a media rights holder for the NHL, and among some of the more notable moves the network made was including female voices on its broadcast crews.

But Leah Hextall, who even led play-by-play during ESPN’s coverage of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, said it wasn’t such a wonderful experience.

Talking to Richard Deitsch on his podcast Sports Media with Richard Deitsch, Hextall said she was unwelcome in a lot of different settings in the league. That compounded many of the vile and sexist messages and threats she received for just doing the job.

“To me, you add that on to the fact that then I didn’t feel welcomed in some press boxes, and I didn’t feel welcomed at some rinks and in some conversations,” she said. “I realized that I was once again the lone woman and the outsider looking in, and I wasn’t one of the boys and I wasn’t going to be no matter how hard I tried.”

Hextall gave a presentation earlier in the summer that spotlighted a lot of what she went through. She said she was a survivor and elaborated more on what she meant by that.

“It was just, to me, that I survived that, that I survived the mental attacks, I survived the outside attacks from social media, I survived the internal attacks from other people within the hockey world, I survived attacks from some of my colleagues not at ESPN but just different things I heard,” she said.

The comments, threats and treatment she received took its toll. Hextall said she struggled with having to keep all of that stuff private.

“I have been really taught that in this industry, keep your head down, do the work and don’t draw attention to yourself because this is just something you have to deal with. You have to deal with it,” she said. “But I’ve also never wanted to draw attention to myself in that way, because I didn’t want to give that person the satisfaction of retweeting that or sharing this on my social media platform because I also don’t want people to think I’m complaining. I know I’m not complaining but that’s how it looks like.”

“Because of that, I kept a lot of this silent,” she added.

But with a new season on the horizon, Hextall said she’s going to have a different approach. She’s not going to be fearful of making sure people know the types of things she’s subjected to.

“This season I think I will have a different mentality about it,” she said. “I would think more about passing it along when somebody references a threat or knowing where I live or something like that because at the end of the day, as my brother in-law who’s a cop says, you don’t know that they don’t need this. And if you get enough of them, maybe it’s time to start making people be held accountable for what they think is OK and how they treat people.”

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‘NFL Total Access’ Comes to an End After 21 Years on NFL Network

“Today is our last show and while our team is disappointed, we are excited about what’s next for us at NFL Network.”

Barrett Sports Media

Published

1 day ago

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May 17, 2024

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NFL Total Access

‘NFL Total Access’ has been a part of the NFL Network since 2003 and today it is set for its final episode. The news of the show coming to an end came down earlier this month. Many of the current show participants took to social media to post their thoughts including hosts Mike Yam and Kimmi Chex along with analyst Chase Daniel.

“Tonight marks the last ever episode of NFL Total Access,” said Chex. “I was 7 years old when this show aired meaning that I spent my life watching. Co-hosting our flagship program this past season has been the honor of my career. I’m not going anywhere but for now, it’s goodbye TA.”

Yam said, “It’s been an absolute thrill hosting NFL Total Access. Today is our last show and while our team is disappointed, we are excited about what’s next for us at NFL Network. “Thank you” isn’t nearly enough to express the gratitude I have for the team. See you at 7est for 1 more run.”

A report from The Athletic said the show would be replaced “at least in the interim” by Insiders with Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero.

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NBCUniversal Names Olympic Hosts for USA, CNBC and E!; Kathryn Tappen Headlines

“We are excited to have an experienced group of hosts to present the most compelling stories, news, and interviews as we take viewers from event to event throughout the Games.”

Barrett Sports Media

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1 day ago

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May 17, 2024

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NBC Olympics Logo and photos of Cara Banks, Laura Britt, Trenni Casey, Lindsay Czarniak, Carolyn Manno, and Kathryn Tappen

NBCUniversal announced its hosts for coverage of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 on USA Network, CNBC and E! Cara Banks, Laura Britt and Trenni Casey will all be a part of the coverage on CNBC and E! Lindsay Czarniak, Carolyn Manno and Kathryn Tappen will all take part in the USA Network coverage.

The Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics is Friday, July 26 on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo.

Coverage on USA Network, CNBC, and E! is expected to include Team USA men’s and women’s basketball, soccer, and volleyball, as well as swimming, gymnastics, and track & field, and more.

“We are excited to have an experienced group of hosts to present the most compelling stories, news, and interviews as we take viewers from event to event throughout the Games,” said Rebecca Chatman, Vice President and Coordinating Producer, NBC Olympics Production in a release.

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Mike Tirico, Danica Patrick Return to Host Indy 500 for NBC Sports

Seven-time NASCAR Series champion Jimmie Johnson will join NBC’s pre-race and race coverage. When his broadcasting duties are completed, Johnson will be flying to Charlotte Motor Speedway to drive in the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.

Barrett Sports Media

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1 day ago

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May 17, 2024

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Logos for Indy 500, NBC Sports and photos of Mike Tirico and Danica Patrick
Photos Courtesy: NBC Sports

With less than two weeks until the event, NBC Sports has officially announced its team of race and studio commentators for the 108th Running of the Indianapolis 500. For the sixth year in a row, we can expect to see familiar faces such as host Mike Tirico and studio analyst Danica Patrick contributing to pre-race, in-race, and post-race coverage.

The race will air at 11 a.m. ET on Sunday, May 26, on both NBC and Peacock.

Seven-time NASCAR Series champion Jimmie Johnson will join NBC’s pre-race and race coverage. When his broadcasting duties are completed, Johnson will be flying to Charlotte Motor Speedway to drive in the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600.

Leigh Diffey, Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe will call the race for the sixth consecutive year. Marty Snider, Dillon Welch, Dave Burns, and Kevin Lee will serve as pit reporters. Former NASCAR driver Jeff Burton and Kim Coon will serve as roaming reporters.

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