Joel Klatt was not enthused by what he saw on Sunday afternoon. After reading a questionable passage from the network’s website, the Fox analyst accused ESPN of bias towards the Southeastern Conference.
David Hale of ESPN.com penned his weekly Sunday column. In the column, Hale discussed teams who he felt looked “sluggish” over the weekend. Of the teams included in the section were the Ohio State Buckeyes of the Big Ten. Also included were the Georgia Bulldogs of the SEC. But it was clear, based on the verbiage, that one side received more grace than the other.
After he caught wind of it, Klatt didn’t hold back on his feelings on the passage.
“They don’t even hide it and when you see it and call it out, then you’re an ‘SEC Hater. Cool story!” Klatt said.
They don’t even hide it and when you see it and call it out then you’re an “SEC Hater”
ok
cool story! https://t.co/zghWI4LZD5
— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) October 6, 2024
Klatt has made his thoughts clear on this situation, and clearly has felt this way for a while. Given the obvious ways that networks have gotten a stranglehold of college football, Klatt isn’t wrong to call out what he sees. ESPN and the SEC have had a longstanding relationship, but that relationship has led to a lot of perceived bias. And often, that bias is confirmed in many ways.
Of course, the shoe can be put on the other foot. Fox’s demands for the Big Ten set off quite a stir in the college football world, helping to radically change the landscape. Klatt’s free to call it out, but you can argue he’s doing that to save face for his network’s conference.
Still, an added spiciness to Sunday didn’t hurt anyone.
