Deadspin
Nice little update on the Harold Reynolds Vs. ESPN lawsuit: Those sainted souls at The Smoking Gun have dug up an amended version of Reynolds' suit against the network for firing him — a firing they STILL haven't given a reason for. There isn't that much more new in the suit, except that it includes a copy of Reynolds' contract.
That's right: It's an official ESPN contract. Reynolds was expected to make $4.875 million over a six-year deal, and the contract reveals what that entails. Reynolds was required to make three "personal appearances," call 12 on-site games (not counting the Little League World Series) and make a minimum 85 studio appearances. ESPN provides first-class air transportation to all games, and for days Reynolds is in Bristol, he gets a $48 per diem, which will provide for several full meals at Boston Market, even with sides of mashed potatoes.
So, nothing necessarily new in the lawsuit just yet ... but we suspect Deadspin LLP will find lots of fun tidbits in the contract language.
Harold Reynolds' Big Hit [The Smoking Gun]
Harold Reynolds Coverage [Deadspin]
(Originally, some guy was featured on the left of this picture, but he emailed us and — pretty rudely, we thought — demanded that we take crop him out of the photo, even though the photo is right here and pretty much everywhere else. So there you go, weirdo. Feel better?)
Comments
Who cares about his employment contract? I want to see his backstage rider.
Harold Reynolds makes "personal appearances" in my dreams every night. In these dreams, he's holding Boston Market mashed potatoes and cornbread.
(I wish we had Boston Markets out here.)
Shit, that's a lotta snapple.
How many cafeteria coupons did he get?
Fuck, HR was gettin paid. Must be his ball levitation skills
Will, I love the treehugger ad on this!
What if my treehug is misinterpreted or inappropriate?
Looking at Harold Reynold's contract makes me think I got into the wrong business.
If I had a job.
announcer shall devote announcer's best talents, efforts and abilities ... and will attend all ... sessions as Production may request, including any costume and/or make-up sessions
Best talents huh? I think he fulfilled that part.
I also like the idea of SportsCenter anchors getting into "costumes." They're all secretly furries.
FORTY-EIGHT DOLLARS WOULD BUY A LOT OF DELICIOUS CHEEZY DOODLES.
So Harold Reynolds only gets 8 more dollars a day than Rachel Ray?
Blasphemy.
wait, so Stat Boy is/was making more per year than HR?
When I first glanced at that photo, I thought it was 50 Cent.
Of course, Harold likes to get a hug, but end up gettin' rubbed.
Though I'm sure HR would love to treat Rachel Ray to a nice meatloaf dinner at Boston Market. I know I would.
I wish I'd been a good-not great baseball player from Corvallis, OR, employed by the WWL. That's some decent cheese he was making.
If I knew it was that kind of party, I'd stick my dick in the mashed patatas!
I also like the idea of SportsCenter anchors getting into "costumes." They're all secretly furries
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! John Kruk as a furry! Make it stop! Make it stop!
I'm just baffled that Nebraska was one of his options for his five free round trip tickets had he choosen to live in CT.
I'm from Nebraska and I've never even gone back there more than twice in one year.
after reading the contract - it seem Harold was never an "employee" of ESPN, but rather was an independent contractor. It makes a difference...
oh, and on a side note: I see how Li'l Sean may have gotten into trouble. If this is a form contract, ESPN has a "personal appearances" clause. Sean may have gotten confused. ;-)
Harold Reynolds undoubtedly has a bigger Lil' Harold than Mr. Salisbury.
The agreement states that the network could terminate Reynolds's deal if the announcer were to be involved in any "willful or egregious" act that would "constitute an act of moral turpitude" or which would "otherwise constitute public humiliation" to ESPN.
So, if they got rid of everyone who brought public humiliation to ESPN, who would be left with Gammons?
Grungedave: Please explain the IC v. E'ee. Inquiring minds want to know.
I hate Productions
-Interoffice Memo-
16 (a) (iii).
Goddamn moral turpitude clauses are hard to enforce, Norby or Dag or whatever your fucking name is....This one's going to settle, or I'm not a shareholder in Deadspin LLC.
Carry on with the dick jokes.
Dweeze: Is Clayton a public humiliation? I thought he brought in a lot of viewers from the demographic that watched his old show, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
Ah, Deadspin LLP has hit the bigtime now.
Christ, I don't want to know anything about Mr. Salisbury's Lil Harold.
apostle: particularly when said company doesn't fire somebody for photoing his dong and showing it to others.
Speaking of the WWL, I'm watching Around the Horn right now...Am I allowed to like Michael Smith? He is the only ESPN employee that I don't disagree with 99% of the time.
pooor hARolllll
So, if they got rid of everyone who brought public humiliation to ESPN, who would be left with Gammons?
His triage nurse.
AR, I agree. Today Michael Smith and also JA Adonde have been well-spoken and interesting.
Norby!
Please explain the IC v. E'ee.
Putting it succinctly, as I'm heading out the door, as a general rule it's a lot easier to get rid of an independent contractor than an employee. Depends on the clauses in the contract, though.
Is Clayton a public humiliation?
Probably not, though I often think of him as joined at the hip with Salisbury.
AR, I agree. Today Michael Smith and also JA Adonde have been well-spoken and interesting.
Are you channeling Chris Rock, LA?
48 dollars is a lotta fried chicken
an independent contractor has no "benefits" of employment (hell, Harold is in charge of paying his own taxes!) while an employee has more protections.
In short, while I am not licensed outside of Texas, usually it's much easier to fire an independent contractor without having to show "cause" - and the morality clause built into this contract is an easy out for ESPN.
Thanks, Dweeze.
$48 = 9.6 celebratory gift certificates to an espn food services location (Connecticut only).
Lets hug it out Harold
No, ArkansasFred......I'm not sure what that means either. It has nothing to do with them being black, it has to do with somebody on ESPN not annoying the shit out of me, especially on Around the Horn.
Berman and Patrick were a great commentary team for the Clone High homecoming game. Especially since Chris Berman's mic wasn't plugged in and Dan Patrick was talking into his fist.
On $48/day I would fucking CRUSH some Boston Market AND be wasted every day.
Almost used Boston Market's initials there. That would have looked wrong.
what kind of frackin lawyer leaves at 5:30?
I'm no lawyer, but 16-a-iii might trip him up a bit. Oh and Norby's signature looks like something my 4 year old brings home from daycare.
I'm watching Around the Horn right now...Am I allowed to like Michael Smith? He is the only ESPN employee that I don't disagree with 99% of the time.
I like Michael Smith, too. But for other reasons.
"frack" hee hee
Interoffice Memo
Re: Section 16(a)(iii)
This section's reference to firing without cause if 'roldie commits "willful or egregious ... acts of moral turpitude" is very vague but still a pretty high threshold. I think Harold's alleged hugging doesn't meet that test.
In another context that I'm familiar with (don't ask), the term "moral turpitude" has been read to require at least a felony, violent behavior or illegal drugs. Boston Market is pretty lame but it's none of those things.
No metschick, you and AnalRapist like him for the same reasons.
Harold's defense is in the first paragraph (amusingly mislabeled "2"): "Announcer shall perform such services as persons performing the above functions customarily perform."
This is an organization that has employed Mike Tirico, Sean Salisbury and Michael Irvin. I think Harold is will within the scope of the "customarily perform" standard.
HR should have hit Mcd's thats alot of fries off the dollar menu.
I like Michael Smith, too. But for other reasons.
Yeah, I don't watch much ESPN, but I used to see him on the Boston sports shows back when he worked at the Globe. That is a good-lookin' man.
what kind of frackin lawyer leaves at 5:30?
No shit! I wanna work there!