The memo, in full:

Our Workplace

Top Story 11/19/09 @ 3:33 PM - Updated: 11/20/09 @ 10:09 AM

A message from George Bodenheimer

My recent ITK message addressed a series of issues and allegations related to workplace behavior at ESPN. It reflected the pride and passion I feel for the work we do and the disappointment that follows when we fail to live up to the high standards of conduct expected of every employee. As we move ahead, we are taking numerous steps to enhance our efforts to maintain a company that shows care and respect for all employees and is free of harassment of any kind. If you have concerns, bring them forward. I assure you we will fully address any circumstance in which we are not living up to our commitment, especially those related to alleged sexual improprieties or discriminatory conduct.

Managers will be held fully accountable for reporting and acting upon inappropriate workplace behavior. Any leader who fails to act responsibly in this regard or whose leadership capability is compromised by their own conduct will not be a part of our Company's future. Our goal is simply stated: for each of us to represent ESPN every day with class, dignity and integrity.

In addition to the measures we already have in place, which can be accessed on ITK , below are some of further steps we will take:

• more frequent and prominent dissemination and discussion of our Standards of Conduct policies

• more frequent, in-person mandatory workplace behavior training at every level

• prominent publication of our employee Hotline number (where employees can anonymously report any concerns) and the list and contact numbers of our HR employee relations specialists

• a complete review of the workplace environment for all entry level positions with particular focus on studio and remote production staffing

• continued engagement of our Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to provide on-going feedback and assistance in training, mentoring and guiding employees

These are all top-line descriptions of our efforts and HR will be following up over the next 90 days with details. I am confident that positive results will follow.

Thank you all for your support. I want to especially thank the ESPN Women ERG for its advice and counsel over these past weeks — your perspective has been tremendously helpful.

We have a great company full of hard working, kind, dedicated and generous people. Your efforts and unerring commitment are the foundation of our culture and the keys to ESPN's continuing success.

Here it is, in full:

A Message from George Bodenheimer

Top Story 10/23/09 @ 4:19 PM

ESPN is clearly one of the most dynamic companies in the world and we take great pride in our work. Our success often leads to media stories about our business and people. Those stories are often very positive, but not always.

During the last few days, we have received a fair amount of unwanted media coverage, including a series of Internet posts where the editor expressly stated that many of these items were based on rumor and that they had not attempted to verify their accuracy. Compounding this issue is my disgust that some of our own unidentified employees are leaking materials to the media thereby contributing in a significant way to these destructive efforts. As you know, we have policies that govern how and who should be in contact with the media regarding the company. I feel it is very important to make clear to all employees that violating these policies is a serious offense which can, and very likely will, result in the immediate termination of employment of the offending employee.

ESPN has a hard working, creative culture that produces outstanding content every day. Our culture and our people are the keys to our continuing success. I also want to reaffirm our commitment to maintaining a workplace where all employees have the opportunity to grow, are free from harassment of any kind and are respectful and positive toward each other.

If anyone feels that we are not living up to our commitment or that your work environment, either in our offices or at any remote location, is of concern, you can and should bring that to the attention of your supervisor, your HR business partner, our HR Leader Paul Richardson, Ed Durso or to me personally.

Our mission is to serve sports fans. Our values call for us to show care and respect for all employees. I want to assure you the leadership of ESPN is committed to achieving both.

EARLIER: George Bodenheimer Requests That ESPN Employees Stop Telling The Media Who's Boinking Whom

Yes, those stories, in particular.

So I don't have it in my possession. I probably won't get it either, since the unholy war currently being waged at ESPN amid the Phillips fallout (and in the wake of the Deasdpin horndog dossier hostage crisis) has left me radioactive to many cooped up in Norby's Palace Of Fun in Nowhere, Connecticut.

Thing is, the attack on ESPN has spread and it turns out some other media outlets are currently in the process of digging up more bodies for display. The peg — if Phillips' consensual relationship with Brooke Hundley had "irreparably damaged" his ability to talk about baseball for the network, what about the others currently (or previously) involved in lascivious affairs?

It would be silly to condemn the company over immorality or for the rampant employee-porking that seems to take place over there — or anywhere, including Gawker Media — but ESPN has opened itself up for more scrutiny — and more embarrassment for its employees — with its sloppy handling of the situation.

Sobering reality: what ESPN needs this week, more than anything else, is for Michael Jackson to die again. Stay tuned.

•Yankees beat Boston for the first time since Mike Mussina was on the mound and George W. Bush was in the White House. Thanks, Obama, it's the Go-Go '90s all over again!

•Like most decisions in the past 11 years, ESPN's attempt to control Twitter can be traced back to having an ad sales guy, not an editorial guy, in charge. I'm sure after reading this George Bodenheimer will cry himself to sleep atop a giant pile of money.

•One eyed man with two recent shoulder surgeries tries (and fails) to win a million bucks by throwing three strikes before last night's Royals game. On the bright side, he's now their fifth starter.

•Why is everyone reporting that Donte Stallworth will accept the NFL's punishment? Does he have a choice? Is he going to run on to the field to try and play even if he's suspended?

•Julio Castillo, who injured a spectator in a minor league game, is sentenced to 30 days in jail. So if we're going by forced days off, assaulting a fan is half as bad as taking certain supplements from GNC.

•Jeremy Roenick was the face of American hockey for the last 20 years, and a media favorite. To celebrate his retirement, here's his top ten quotes. Only seven of them are J.R. calling out a player/coach/fanbase.

•If Shaq loses a doubles volleyball match to Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor, he'll walk two miles in a pink speedo — "three sizes too small." I've started a fund to pay off Walsh and May-Treanor to take a dive.

Happy Friday. Don't drink and drive until at least 2 a.m.

Sobered by the news of the impending changes at Bristol, some of the ESPN employees were inspired not to just sit back and wait for more bad news. They are emboldened, united — they want to show their loyalty to the bestest company in the world that's given them everything to live for in life.

Here are some of the the intra-office comments from ESPN employees after Bodenheimer's speech. This was an open online forum for those on the WWL's payroll. Luckily, one employee cut-and-pasted some of the responses and sent them over.

Leadership Pickles go to these fine ESPN employees:

For Innovation In Promoting A Greener Workplace

Michael Kalasnik:

1) Turn down the heat! In a lot of areas (Example, walkway to
the caf, building 4 news room) the heat is very very warm. I work 3rd
shift and I dont think we need the heat blasting at 3am. 2) 10 hour/4
day weeks: Encourage departments to do 10 hour days 4 days a week (non
production ones, that is)

For Blind Positivism

Alexandre Moores:

I think that the sports fan will come to rely on us even more
during these tough economic times. We have an oppertunity to "trim
the fat" and become a well oiled machine.

For Job Security Groveling:

John McCloskey:

I've worked for a number of global organizations throughout my
career, and in all candor have never experienced the kind of concerted
efforts ESPN management pursues to get out in front of various
difficult business issues when it can.

For Fuck Those Spoiled Brats-Like Stinginess:

Brienne Gallagher:

While I know that we pride ourselves on our great internship
program, we can offer credit only internships instead of paid ones.
Students will still want to work here because after all, "it's ESPN".
They should be doing it for the great experience and not for the
money. The majority of internship programs in the
entertainment/broadcast industry are unpaid anyway. Is it also
necessary to house them in Hartford 21? Is it really more cost
effective than the Clarion right down the street? These are just my
thoughts that may be able to save us some money.

For Yeah, Actually Fuck Those Brats-like Stinginess

Michael Kalasnik (two!)
We are housing the interns at Hartford 21? That seems way too
lavish. These kids go from a dorm room to hartford 21, on the company
dime? Id say either have them stay right down the street at the
clarion or, maybe adopt a program to have them stay with some of the
people who work here? I know a lot of the PA's and such room together
to save money. if these interns are here for 3 months or so, im sure
you can throw some incentive to someone who needs a roomate.

For Being A Realist And Not A Party Pooper

Rob Tobias:

Long as we are having this conversation, I am aware of some
chatter about our Super Bowl Party in Tampa. What people don't
realize is that the cost for that event is borne largely by several
sponsors who appreciate our ability to get them close to the biggest
sports event in this country. It is actually good business for us.
Here's a for-instance, said to SBJ: Ford is leveraging its F-150
truck as presenting sponsor of the party. Eric Peterson, Ford Truck
communications manager, said, "This year, more than any other year,
we're not going over the top. But being at the Super Bowl, and being
part of a partnership that gets us there, makes a lot of sense."

For Brilliant Use Of Smart Quotes

Jodi Markley

Thank you for your suggestion Gilbert. We appreciate the "can
do" attitude of everyone at ESPN, but we have looked at this and
concluded that it would be very difficult to meet the event needs and
still keep up with the overwhelming demand of our in-house
productions. Given the size of our staff it would also be extremely
difficult to staff local productions without causing a dramatic
increase to our overtime costs. We will continue to explore select
opportunities where it makes sense.

Like that logo? Pretty? Well, it's about to die, we tell you ... DIE!

From an internal memo sent out this afternoon from ESPN, effective February 12, the ESPN2 logo as you know it will go the way of the dodo.

I sent a note similar to this a couple of months ago.....and the timing was wrong. This time it is a GO for real.....and is effective on February 12th.

We will be losing all on-air visual references to ESPN2 (except for the logo on the bottom line). We will rebrand the network as ESPN.

This includes all mic flags, banners, insert graphics, studio graphics, wipes and animations. Everything will be branded ESPN (not ESPN 2, ESPNHD...) This is part of the 48 hours of ESPN branding initiative. Please identify and deal with issues arising from this initiative.

Please pass this message along to anyone in your groups who need to know. Send us your questions and issues.

In a followup email, ESPN executive vice president, studio and remote production Norby Williamson (NORBY!) warns against the February 12 deadline, saying George (Bodenheimer, presumably) has not "officially blessed the 12th," but that it's full speed ahead, regardless.

So goodbye, ESPN2. It's almost as if, with "Quite Frankly," "ESPN Hollywood" and, uh, pretty much every other piece of original programming gone, there was no reason for you to exist. We will miss you, kind of.

(By the way, we HAVE noticed that ESPN.com now has comments. Then can only end badly. Honestly, are they trying to KILL Simmons? We're gonna let them run for a day and talk about that more tomorrow.)

From an internal memo from ESPN head dog George Bodenheimer:

To mark this record-breaking performance, we will be offering a complimentary "MNF" coupon good toward the purchase of food or drink in any of our Connecticut-based cafeterias. This offer extends to any employee either working in or visiting our Connecticut offices over the next month. Details will be forthcoming.

This is vital to note, ESPN minions: That is food or drink, not food and drink. So step away from the buffet ... slowly.

Full Bodenheimer memo after the jump.

——————————————————————-

From: Bodenheimer, George
Sent: Tuesday, October 24, 2006 2:37 PM
Subject: Monday Night Football

It's official: the record has fallen.

With a 12.8 rating, ESPN's Monday Night Football matchup last night between Dallas and New York delivered the largest audience in cable television history. We're only seven weeks into this new season, and already ESPN's MNF occupies seven of the top eight spots on cable's most-watched list. Clearly, fans are "ready for some football" on ESPN.

When we announced our new agreement, we envisioned serving fans like never before combining the 36-year tradition of Monday Night Football and the tremendous scope of ESPN's many assets. Today's news validates that vision and while we have only just begun, a milestone of this magnitude - underscored by incredible companywide teamwork - should be celebrated. Congratulations to all involved.

To mark this record-breaking performance, we will be offering a complimentary "MNF" coupon good toward the purchase of food or drink in any of our Connecticut-based cafeterias. This offer extends to any employee either working in or visiting our Connecticut offices over the next month. Details will be forthcoming.

To view the press release on this exciting news, please go to the Intranet.

So says ESPN and ABC Sports president George Bodenheimer, in an internal memo he sent out after the silliness transpired Friday. Here's a section:

The events of this morning were a heartfelt reminder of what a special company we have created and nurture every day. Jason West and Catherine Bennett - two lifelong Florida Gator and ESPN fans - were married in Studio E in a ceremony just as poignant as one performed in any traditional setting. Those of us in attendance were honored to be there, just as they honored all of us with their presence. Their passion for sports was the spark that began their relationship, and their passion and appreciation for all things ESPN was both touching and humbling, and a unique demonstration of the impact we have on people's daily lives.

And the terrifying thing is that he's right: If anything was a "unique demonstration of the impact we have on people's daily lives," it was that. Hey, did anybody else notice the smell of sulfur?

The full memo is after the jump ....

————————————————————————-

memo to all of us here in ESPN/ABC Sports land re Marriage madness:

The events of this morning were a heartfelt reminder of what a special company we have created and nurture every day. Jason West and Catherine Bennett - two lifelong Florida Gator and ESPN fans - were married in Studio E in a ceremony just as poignant as one performed in any traditional setting. Those of us in attendance were honored to be there, just as they honored all of us with their presence. Their passion for sports was the spark that began their relationship, and their passion and appreciation for all things ESPN was both touching and humbling, and a unique demonstration of the impact we have on people's daily lives.

I know you all join with me to wish Jason, Catherine and Jason, Jr. every happiness - beginning with their honeymoon at this weekend's Indy 500 - and in welcoming them to our ESPN family.

Please also join me in thanking the many of our colleagues who will be working diligently over this extremely busy holiday weekend to serve the fans who, like the West's, count on us each day to bring them closer to the sports they love.

To everyone, please enjoy a happy - and above all, safe - holiday weekend, and thank you for all you do to make our company the best it can be.

George Bodenheimer

The talk centered around the future of sports online, but it was ultimately, from all reports, an advertisement for the ESPN Mobile service, which we dissected last week. The trio (with occasional dissentions from McDonell) talked about how desperately sports fans need their highlights immediately, when they're stranded away from a computer or a television. And then, as online discussions tend to do, the conversation veered toward blogs. From MediaBistro's report:

"[They discussed], of course, blogs blogs blogs. ("They don't have the burden of truth," Stern said). We don't think any of the speakers had looked at Deadspin.com; they were asked, and none said "yes."

We would like to agree with Commissioner Stern that blogs do not have the burden of truth. To prove it, we'd like to say that we totally loved the beard.

Breakfast On Steroids At Conde Nast [MediaBistro]
Bodenheimer Sells Cells [Broadcasting And Cable]
Is ESPN Worth It? [Deadspin]

Some fun notes from the story:

• The high-profile cellphone deal ESPN signed with Sprint/Nextel has some people nervous. ""You have to ask yourself how much growth will be left if they keep spending like this," says one analyst.
• Most people don't think The Outdoor Life Network won't be a legitimate challenger until it gets the NFL. Yeah, Paul Tagliabue's gonna be all over that one.
• ESPN revenues this year could hit $5 billion. And that's just from sales of Simmons' book.
• Before deciding to work with Daniel Snyder, former content head Mark Shapiro had received feelers to head NBC News, which is terrifying; not that we wouldn't like to see Matt Lauer and Katie Couric on "Teammates," mind you.

Favorite quote:

On any given day at the main ESPN campus in Bristol, Conn., now encompassing 100 acres dotted with dozens of satellite dishes, you might find former All-Star second baseman and Baseball Tonight host Harold Reynolds waiting in line for brick-oven pizza in the fancy staff cafe, or SportsCenter anchor Stuart Scott looking for someone to spot him on the bench press in the state-of-the-art gym.

There's precious little detail on Shapiro's "replacement," John Skipper, whom, try as we might, we've yet to find anyone to say anything bad about. "One of the smartest, most competent guys I've ever worked with," one ESPNer tells us. Well, jeez, that's no fun.

In The Zone [Business Week]