Elle Duncan found herself in the crosshairs of criticism after an ESPN colleague took shots at her for her open allegiance to the Georgia Bulldogs. This isn’t just a petty squabble; it’s a bold wake-up call about the standards expected in sports broadcasting.
During a recent episode of “Net Positive with John Crist,” Kirk Herbstreit laid it down. He declared that sports broadcasters should maintain objectivity, emphasizing that overt fandom undermines credibility. “We,” he stated, dismissing any semblance of neutrality when calling games. For Herbstreit, there’s no place for cheerleading behind the mic. He pointedly referenced Duncan as an example of what to avoid.
Herbstreit didn’t hesitate. He noted how a broadcaster openly rooting for a team impairs the audience’s ability to trust their commentary. “You watch ‘SportsCenter’ and Elle Duncan is sitting there cheering for Georgia, openly cheering. I’m not a fan of that personally,” he asserted, conveying disappointment in a practice that dilutes the integrity of sports journalism.
Duncan, who has anchored “SportsCenter” since 2016, was clearly caught off guard by Herbstreit’s remarks. Taking to social media, she retorted, “My fandom doesn’t impact in any way what or how we talk about teams on air. Ever. I…JUST..BARK??” She expressed disbelief at being singled out while asserting that her dedication to the Bulldogs doesn’t cloud her reporting.
While Herbstreit promotes a standard of objectivity, he recently showed his own emotional side when discussing Ohio State’s national championship victory. On air, he admitted to feeling overwhelmed with pride for his alma mater. “I’m a little emotional. I’m just fired up for these guys,” he said, which raises an important question: Can journalists truly separate their personal connections from their professional roles?
As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: sports broadcasting must uphold the highest standards of integrity, and wading into the waters of partisanship could ultimately sink the credibility of those who dare to cross the line.
