Like many other networks, ESPN observed Black History Month in a variety of ways throughout the month of February.
They persisted in doing so throughout the Virginia Cavaliers vs. North Carolina Tar Heels ACC basketball game televised on Saturday.
However, the manner they decided to proceed has subsequently put the massive media company in hot water.
ESPN displayed a graphic during the game pointing out that nine out of the fourteen ACC men’s basketball coaches are black. But for some reason, the image said “ACC Head Coaches Who Happen To Be Black” rather than just that.
Okay, what now? As though they had simply woken up one morning and had somehow ended up in the dark.
The image caused a great deal of confusion and a great deal of pushback.
Play-by-play man Dave O’Brien and analyst Cory Alexander talked on a variety of subjects while the graphic was displayed. Most significantly, they mentioned that the ACC led the way in prior hires and has the highest number of black head coaches among all Power Five conferences.
Alexander then raises one more important point.
“Eventually, we won’t give a damn about the coach’s skin tone; we’ll just be happy that these excellent basketball coaches are in charge of outstanding teams,” he predicts.
The conversation’s purpose made perfect sense. It doesn’t, however, address why the graphic’s wording was so peculiar or who made that decision.
