Stacey Dales Not Hot Enough for 1st Class
As fans of college ESPN basketball analyst and college football sideline reporter Stacy Dales [formerly Dales-Schuman] may already know, she has recently left ESPN over a "travel provision" in her contract. What has come out since then is that while traveling with colleagues like Brad Nessler, Bob Griese and Paul McGuire, they were whisked away to 1st class, while the 6-foot tall former OU, two-time All-American was seated in coach. Now it is apparent that this is in part due to the difference in status between Analyst, Play-by-Play and Sideline Reporters, not to mention that ESPN is notoriously cheap, which in the past has cost them much of their top tier, on-air talent.While this is not the quite the obvious Civil Rights/Women's Rights issue that some may try to make it out to be, most of ESPN's sideline reporters fly Coach unless they pay or it themselves, or (like Doug Gottlieb) use accrued miles to upgrade to 1st Class. According to Deadspin this is a portion of an internal email memo:
[Dales]Refused to sign her contract, even though ESPN management repeatedly kept re-offering her a chance to sign. Rumor is she had trouble dealing with the travel stipulations of flying coach; while she watched many of her talent colleagues pile into first class."
The place where this whole thing smells just a bit is that Erin Andrews, flew first class — also female, a sideline reporter. Hmm so what's the difference?? Could it be that Ms. Andrews is the defending two-time Playboy’s Sexiest Sportscaster?!?!?
Perhaps that's not the reason, but if there is another explanation for the apparent "sideline reporters fly coach, unless they are judged to be blazing hot by a leading men's magazine" double standard I'd like to hear it. Hey I bet magazines like Smooth, King and Black Men would pick Lisa Salters over any of those lanky blonds, so can a sister get an upgrade? I am with the many who feel that if all sideline reporters were replaced by cardboard cut-outs few would notice, with a handful of exceptions. However, this is either, as many believe, a tempest in a teapot or perhaps indicates a lack of respect for how fans who do want to hear from the best available talent rather than the prettiest.
Source Confirms Stacey Dales Quit ESPN Because She Wouldn't Fly Coach [Deadspin]
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