ESPN suspends Tony Kornheiser for comments about Hannah Storm

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ESPN has suspended Tony Kornheiser from ‘Pardon the Interruption,’ the show he co-hosts with fellow Washington Post columnist Michael Wilbon, for comments he made on the radio last week about ‘SportsCenter’ anchor Hannah Storm’s wardrobe choices.

Kornheiser, known for his acerbic attitude, announced the suspension on his Washington radio show Tuesday morning, and made it clear he was wrong to have mocked what Storm had worn.

ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz confirmed the suspension. He did not say how long the suspension would last but said that the network was expected to issue a statement.

‘Hannah Storm in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today,’ Kornheiser had said last week. ‘She’s got on red go-go boots and a Catholic school plaid skirt ... way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now.

‘She’s got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body. ... I know she’s very good, and I’m not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won’t ... but Hannah Storm ... come on now! Stop! What are you doing?

‘She’s what I would call a Holden Caulfield fantasy at this point.’

Kornheiser said he had called Storm to personally apologize for the remarks.

‘I apologize, unequivocally. ... I was wrong,’ Kornheiser said. ‘This is sort of what I do, and I’m sorry for it. ... Not the first time and won’t be the last time, but I apologize for it this time. ... I’m a sarcastic, subversive guy ... I’m a troll, look at me. ... I have no right to insult what anybody looks like or what anybody wears. That, I think, should go without saying.’

-- Debbie Goffa