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ESPN Circles the Wagons...Suspends Bruce Feldman

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This is an odd one to me. But ESPN has suspended Bruce Feldman indefinitely for his involvement with Mike Leach's book Swing your Sword.

Doria, Hoenig and Stiegman informed Feldman today that he has been banned from writing for any ESPN entity, is forbidden from appearing on any ESPN platform, is not allowed to Tweet from his Twitter account nor participate in any promotion of a recently-released book in which Feldman played a role.

Well before Mike Leach was terminated by Texas Tech in late 2009, Feldman had agreed in principle to assist the coach in compiling material for a Leach biography. That biography, in which Feldman was mostly charged with recording Leach’s first-person account of his life, was released this week with the title, Swing Your Sword.

[...]

Because of Leach’s acrimonious departure from Texas Tech, which allegedly stemmed from complaints about the coach’s alleged treatment of the son of ESPN college football analyst Craig James, Feldman’s participation in Swing Your Sword was not initially assured. Multiple management and editorial sources at ESPN have told me in recent months that Feldman would only participate in the Leach book project upon direct approval from ESPN management - which Feldman indeed received.

Feldman is one of the good ones in this business. He always answers his email, always has an encouraging word and is generous with his time.

That the Mouse would go this far in suspending Feldman to protect a person like Craig James is mind boggling to say the least.

Feldman will be just fine. If he leaves ESPN he will be snatched up faster than you can breathe.

The money is really getting to ESPN's head...