Open letter to NBC Sports regarding Keith Olbermann

 

December 28, 2007

To whom it may concern,

The choice of Keith Olbermann as a commentator for NBC Sports is ill-conceived at best.  Olbermann's virulent liberal commentary on MSNBC has received plenty of attention in so-called "red states", which comprise key markets for NFL football.  Rest assured that, in general, these markets do not appreciate Olbermann's sentiments.

Just days ago, Olbermann received a runners-up award for Media Research Center's Worst Reporting for 2007, stating: "Al Qaeda really hurt us, but not as much as Rupert Murdoch has hurt us, particularly in the case of Fox News. Fox News is worse than Al Qaeda - worse for our society. It's as dangerous as the Ku Klux Klan ever was."

He has called the commander-in-chief a fascist, referred to Mike Wallace's son as "monkey", questioned the results of the 2004 elections, used a "Seig Heil" salute to mock another commentator, and sprinkled numerous discussions with talk of impeachment of various administration officials.  Several of Olbermann's actions have been interpreted as beyond the pale (specifically the Wallace and the "Seig Heil" incidents, the latter drawing a reprimand from the Anti-Defamation League).

The list of Olbermann's grievous mistakes and attendant apologies are many.  That you can continue to employ a virulently partisan and unpopular character in a sportscasting role deserves your reflection and, we hope, correction.

Sincerely,

Doug Ross

cc: NFL Management Team