Erin Andrews’ camp is addressing past comments of embellished sideline reporting amid the fallout of the Charissa Thompson scandal that has rocked sports media.
Thompson, a Fox and Amazon Prime host, revealed this week she would make up reports during her tenure as a sideline reporter.
“I’ve said this before so I haven’t been fired for saying it, so I’ll say it again … I would make up the report sometimes because a) the coach wouldn’t come out at halftime, or it was too late, and I didn’t want to screw up the report, so I was like, ‘I’m just gonna make this up,” Thompson said on Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast.
Thompson had previously admitted to doing so on the “Calm Down” podcast she co-hosts with Andrews nearly two years ago.
“I’ve done that too,” Andrews added. “For a coach that I didn’t wanna throw under the bus because he was telling me all the wrong stuff!”
With Thompson having to apologize amid the backlash for her revelation, Jill Fritzo, a spokeswoman for Andrews, clarified her comments.
“For her entire career, Erin Andrews has worked very closely with coaches, players and P.R. staffs to ensure accuracy in her reporting,” Fritzo told The New York Times this week, explaining that Andrews used information obtained earlier in her reporting and was “clear” about where her information came from when she used it on air.
Notable sideline reporters Tracy Wolfson, Michele Tafoya, Laura Okmin and Molly McGrath excoriated Thompson for making up her in-game reports, while the embattled NFL personality has received support from the likes of former host Rachel Bonnetta and Kelly Stafford, the wife of Rams QB Matt Stafford.
Thompson addressed her comments in a statement made to Instagram on Friday.
“Ok, let’s address the elephant in the room,” she wrote. “I have a responsibility to myself and my employers to clarify what is being reported. When on a podcast this week, I said I would make up reports early in my career when I worked as a sideline reporter before I transitioned to my current host role.
“Working in media I understand how important words are and I chose the wrong words to describe the situation. I’m sorry. I have never lied about anything or been unethical during my time as a sports broadcaster.”
