ESPN Suspends Tony Kornheiser Over Catty Hannah Storm Wardrobe Comments
SportCenter's Hanna Storm. Photo: Julianne Varacchi, ESPN
Men, men, men. How many times do we have to tell you? Unless your name is Michael Kors, you can not get away with dissing a woman's outfit.
Apparently, ESPN host Tony Kornheiser didn't get that memo, and has now been suspended for two weeks over catty comments he made on air about SportsCenter anchor Hannah Storm's clothes, the NY Post reports.
(You mess with the bull, you get the horns, Kornheiser.)
It all kicked off last Tuesday during Kornheiser's sports radio show, when the host decided to play Fashion Police with the outfit Storm had worn in that morning's "SportsCenter" broadcast, according to the paper.
"[She wore] a horrifying, horrifying outfit today," the big mouth reportedly said. "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."
(For the record, Storm -- whom Kornheiser also reportedly dubbed a "Holden Caulfied fantasy at this point" -- is 47 years old.)
"She's got on her typically very, very tight shirt," he continued. "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?"
Uh, what are you doing, big guy? It's easy to talk tough about fashion when you work in radio. And while Storm's outfit may not have been the height of fashion (ahem), how come ol' Tony is only weighing in on what female reporters wear? Does he not see the mock turtlenecks and mustard-yellow suits?
Kornheiser hoped to recover from his fashion fumble by reportedly issuing an apology the next day, saying, "I was wrong. This is sort of what I do, and I'm sorry for it. Not the first time and won't be the last time, but I apologize for it this time."
Oh good! Maybe we can get him a gig on "Project Runway." In the meantime, the sports commentator will have two weeks to flip through his favorite fashion magazines.
Speaking of the suspension, ESPN executive vice president of content John Skipper told the source, "Tony Kornheiser's comments about Hannah Storm were entirely inappropriate. Hurtful and personal comments such as these are not acceptable and have significant consequences.
"Tony has been suspended from PTI for two weeks. Hannah is a respected colleague who has been an integral part of the success of our morning 'SportsCenter.'"
Ooh. Catty back-stabbing and go-go boots? We may have actually have to start watching this ESPN thing.
In the meanwhile, check out Janice Dickinson's nasty statements about Tyra Banks.
Tags: espn, fashion feuds, hannah storm, pardon the interruption, sports, sportscenter, tony kornheiser



P Fruchey, 2-24-2010, 5:07PM
While I totally disagree with Tony Kornheiser insulting Hannah Storm live on the radio, I can't help but agreeing with his comments. I have felt for quite awhile now that Ms Storm dresses like she is 20 years old - not 47. I realize that older women have a hard time being accepted on television but it is demeaning and embarrassing to see a woman of her age in such attire. Ms Storm is a very attractive woman and she would still be that without the short skirts and low cut tops. I hope ESPN isn't forcing her to dress that way to keep her job!
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