Someone At ESPN Didn’t Like What Hannah Storm Was Wearing The Other Night

by Dan Fogarty and Glenn Davis | 6:05 pm, October 29th, 2010

Hannah Storm‘s wardrobe choice was the most memorable moment from an otherwise dud of an NBA opening night. But not everyone at ESPN is happy about it.

A source at the network told the Big Lead’s Jason McIntyre that “Storm’s colleagues in the arena that day couldn’t stop talking about her outfit selection.” The person said Kornheiser’s comments “made [Storm] a martyr,” though as McIntyre pointed out, Deadspin heard that Storm was advised by the network not to wear certain outfits again.

So ESPN’s faced (and, apparently, still faces) a delicate balancing act. First, they have to show their support for Storm (a “consummate professional,” in the words of ESPN executive VP Norby Williamson) in the face of remarks like Kornheiser’s. Here’s what he said back in February that caused the uproar:

“Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today. She’s got on red go-go boots and a catholic school plaid skirt … way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now.” [She's 47.] “She’s got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body … I know she’s very good, and I’m not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won’t … but Hannah Storm … come on now! Stop! What are you doing? … She’s what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point.”

Oof. But at the same time, the network also has to try and figure out if Kornheiser’s claims (at the same time they’re suspending him) might have any merit, even if he could have (to say the last) articulated them much, much better.

As for the more recent (possible) controversy, McIntyre wondered if ESPN will put the kibosh on Storm’s black boots from NBA opening night like they supposedly did on her red SportsCenter boots. If it’s true the network’s gotten involved in her outfit choices in the past, it’s hard to imagine they won’t again in this case, or any where there’s a hint of unrest.

So who voiced their displeasure with Storm’s wardrobe this time around? Our bet, of course, is that the ESPN gossiping on Wednesday night was started by a jealous Jon Barry.

[Not Everybody at ESPN Was Thrilled With Hannah Storm’s Ensemble at the Heat Game] The Big Lead

Bobbi

If her outfits cause so much concern, they should give her a clothing allowance and a stylist. This is ridiculous!
TobyTucker

If her outfits are causing all these impure thoughts among her male colleagues, the only reasonable solution is to require she wear a burka at all times.
lzaccaro

ESPN loves it when Michelle Beadle and Jenn Brown wear revealing clothes – it plays to the its demographic and makes ratings/money. Hannah Storm doesn’t appeal to college boys, so her look is “horrifying.” I watch and listen to ESPN faithfully, but despite the fact that it puts more women on air than other sports nets, it’s clear that many of its execs/talent have that same frat mentality.