[MVB]

I remember our talking about this a while back, so I decided this breaking news was worth a thread.

Former ESPN baseball analyst Harold Reynolds sued the network for at least $5 million Tuesday, saying he was wrongly fired after a female intern complained about what he called a "brief and innocuous" hug.

Reynolds joined the sports network in 1996 after a dozen seasons as a major leaguer and was fired July 24. According to his lawsuit, filed in New Britain Superior Court, ESPN terminated his new six-year, $6 million contract without specific reasons.

"I have tried everything possible to handle this situation quietly behind the scenes," Reynolds said in a statement released Tuesday. "After numerous conversations and multiple mediation discussions with ESPN executives it is clear that ESPN had no intention of solving this problem amicably."

"For 11 years I served ESPN with enthusiasm and dedication," Reynolds said. "It is unfortunate that ESPN has handled this process in an unprofessional manner. At the end of the day my integrity, reputation and family are my top priorities, and for those reasons I need to set the record straight and clear my name."

Read the rest of the story here.

You know what surprised me after reading this? Reynolds was getting paid $1 MILLION bucks a year?!?! For talking! About baseball!

Talk about getting the best of both worlds....

But anywho, back to the topic... I'm sure there's more to the story, but from the evidence these reports have shown- I still have to wonder why Reynolds was fired.

Perhaps ESPN is hiding the real reason he was fired... (but why?)

[ThePundit]

It's amazing how impossible it is for the owner of a business to fire employees these days.

[MJHMarc]

Some news remains confidential.

I'll just respect their privacy and move on...

[Lefty Noob]

Originally Posted by ThePundit

It's amazing how impossible it is for the owner of a business to fire employees these days.

Ah, but they didn't just fire him -- they leaked sexual harassment charges that, apparently, weren't true. Reynolds, if ESPN can't explain why he was fired, may not only have a wrongful termination suit on his hands, he may also have a defamation of character suit.

[legend]

I'm siding with Reynolds on this one. He just seemed like too nice of a guy to be involved with something like this. If he didn't have a case, he would have just gone away quietly.

[MJHMarc]

I feel some tension growing here.

We might have to call security before a fight breaks out between these two!

[Gotham Dark Knight]

Originally Posted by MVB

You know what surprised me after reading this? Reynolds was getting paid $1 MILLION bucks a year?!?! For talking! About baseball!

No, he was getting a million a year to generate revenue for ESPN...the guy is good...people tuned in to hear him...ESPN sold Commerical ads and cable packages...thus it was a no brainer....

Now if someone paid me to talk about baseball hear...well that would be a shocker!...

[simple simon]

Originally Posted by legend

If he didn't have a case, he would have just gone away quietly.

i agree he has to know ESPN will either settle or come at him with guns blazing

this would be a stupid move on his part if there is even a slight chance he is guilty of any wrong-doing

for now id have to back Harry as well

[MJHMarc]

Lets see how this situation plays out. I would wait until the public learns a little more information about this dilemnia before we back up any sides.

[firefrozen]

I think the main reason that this case has gone this far is the way ESPN handled it. They can fire him for whatever he did assuming it could be considered Sexual Harrasement. My real problem with this is that they leaked the news of what happened instead of just quietly replacing him.

There is no way he can settle now. He just went out and said that all he wanted was a clear name and a settlement won't give him that.

[soriano33]

Reynolds is a great guy I have met him in person and had the pleasure of talking some baseball with him. Now that I think about it I was wondering where he was all season for MLB analysis....I think he is only suing because he has a legitimate claim, which I believe he has at this point or he wouldnt risk his rep