Top 10 Most Shocking Sports Broadcasting Scandals

#10: Frank Bough

Best known for working as a regular host on the BBC sports show Grandstand from 1968 to 1983 and covering football World Cup content, Bough was one of the UKs most famous TV presenters. Yet in 1988, his reputation was severely tarnished when newspapers reported Bough had been taking illegal substances and employing sex workers, going against his clean-cut image. After the BBC fired him, Bough managed to find work elsewhere. However, in 1992, further reports were published claiming hed been involved in additional intimate acts involving a dungeon. As a result, Bough tumbled into obscurity, getting work in small shows and radio before passing away in 2020. Since then, there have been multiple misconduct allegations over his behavior during his heyday.

#9: Sports Illustrated Accused of Using AI

AI can be a useful tool. Yet generative AI is a murky area that causes considerable controversy. With that in mind, in 2023, Sports Illustrated was accused of using artificial intelligence to create articles. It was found by Futurism that some of the authors had fake names, and their portraits were found on AI-generated image websites. Sports Illustrated soon deleted the accused articles. However, the articles were then republished by them under other AI-suspected fake writers. The Arena Group, which licensed Sports Illustrated, claimed the articles were written by AdVon Commerce and had used pseudonyms to protect writers with no AI involvement. Regardless, the Arena Group fired its CEO, Ross Levinsohn, shortly after.

#8: Charlie Dixon

In 2015, Dixon was hired as the executive vice president of content at Fox Sports. According to a 2025 lawsuit issued by the networks former host, Julie Stewart-Binks, it didnt take long for Dixon to abuse his position. She stated she was called to his hotel to discuss Foxs plans for the 2016 Super Bowl. Instead, Dixon belittled Stewart-Binks, shattering her confidence. He then asked Stewart-Binks to his hotel room, where Dixon assaulted her before she could escape. Stewart-Binks then claimed she was pushed out of her job for not accepting Dixons advances. Supported by Noushin Farajis lawsuit, which also mentions Dixons misconduct, the VP was suspended by Fox before being fired later.

#7: Jimmy Snyder

Better known as Jimmy the Greek, Snyder was an eccentric commentator on The NFL Today. Known for alluding to sports betting, since he had a history in bookmaking, Snyders charisma kept viewers engaged. However, that goodwill was destroyed after an interview with WRC-TV in 1988. Doing a segment about Martin Luther King Jr.s birthday, Snyder made controversial statements, including his belief that Black people are better athletes due to breeding practices during slavery. Due to the backlash, CBS fired Snyder. In 1991, he attempted to sue the broadcaster for unfair dismissal, claiming various issues such as age discrimination, but was unsuccessful.

#6: Marv Albert

When he retired in 2021, media outlets praised Alberts long NBA and NFL broadcasting career. However, barely mentioned was the scandal that wouldve cost most people their jobs. In 1997, Albert was accused of assaulting 2 women, claims supported by DNA evidence. However, he originally asserted they were consensual acts. Albert eventually agreed to a plea deal, earning him a 12-month suspended sentence. After a year, the conviction was also expunged from his records. After pleading guilty, Albert was fired by NBC. Yet by 1998, he was hired by Madison Square Garden Network, which the media was uncomfortably joyful about. The following year, Albert was rehired by NBC before he moved to TNT when the network lost the NBA rights.

#5: Richard Keys & Andy Gray

When Sky Sports began its Premier League coverage in 1992, Keys and Gray worked as one of the networks main double acts. Yet even though they were a fixture of Sky Sports, there was no coming back from their scandals in 2011. Firstly, Keys and Gray were recorded making misogynistic comments about a female football assistant referee. This was followed by Gray being recorded grossly asking co-presenter Charlotte Jackson to tuck his microphone in and by Keys making inappropriate comments about women. As a result, Gray was fired from Sky Sports as Keys resigned. Weirdly, the latter claimed dark forces behind the scenes were involved in his departure. The duo eventually found work with Qatars beIN Sports.

#4: Gary Lineker

Every Saturday night since 1999, many viewers had tuned into the BBCs Match of the Day, which shows the highlights of the Premier League, to see Lineker anchoring. However, in recent years, the record-breaking, long-running host has found his political comments on social media stirring up controversy. This included comparing the UK governments immigration stance to Germany during World War Two. In 2024, it was announced that Lineker was leaving Match of the Day and the broadcaster after finishing his contractual agreements. However, in 2025, Lineker shared a video about Zionism that allegedly contained antisemitic imagery. As such, after apologizing, he announced he was leaving the BBC after hosting the seasons final Match of the Day.

#3: Lisa Olson's New England Patriots Experience

In 1990, while working as a reporter for the Boston Herald, Olson went into the locker room of the New England Patriots after practice to speak with the players. Instead of getting standard tales to write about, the journalist experienced a very uncomfortable time. According to Olson, players were misogynistic and made crass comments and gestures towards her while wearing nothing. After the NFL conducted an investigation, it fined the Patriots $50,000 and 3 of their players, including Zeke Mowatt, a total or $22,500. Despite this, Patriot fans tormented Olson and sent her threats. In 1991, she issued a lawsuit against the NFL franchise and the individuals involved, which was settled out of court for an undisclosed amount.

#2: Stuart Hall

After presenting Its a Knockout and commentating on football matches, Halls legend was seemingly immortalized in the UK. However, in 2012, that all changed. In the fallout of the Jimmy Savile scandal, women began coming forward with their stories of Hall abusing them when they were girls. In 2013, the disgraced presenter admitted to 14 charges, earning him a bizarrely short 15-month sentence. The outrage at the lenient sentence resulted in the Court of Appeals doubling it to 30 months. In 2014, Hall was found guilty of another attack, earning him a further 2-and-a-half years in jail. He was released in 2015 and soon began criticizing his victims publicly, further tainting his legacy.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few dishonorable mentions.

Tom Morris

In 2022, Morris Was Fired from Fox Footy for Offensive Comments About a Colleague

Skip Bayless

In 2025, Bayless Was Issued a Lawsuit for Harassment by Hairstylist Noushin Faraji

Charissa Thompson

In 2023, Thompson Claimed She Made up Elements as a Sideline Sports Reporter

Marly Rivera

In 2023, After Making an Offensive Comment to Another Journalist, Rivera Was Fired by ESPN

#1: Erin Andrews's Stalking Incident

In 2009, Andrews' life was rocked to its foundation. That year, intimate footage of the then-ESPN reporter was leaked online. It was soon discovered that while at the Nashville Marriott in Nashville, Tennessee, Michael Barrett used a peephole to record her changing. He was arrested as further unreleased footage was found involving Andrews at the Radisson Airport hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In 2010, after pleading guilty, Barrett was sentenced to two and a half years. In 2015, Andrews issued a lawsuit against Nashville Marriott and Barrett for $75 million. The following year, she was awarded $55 million. In 2016, Andrews claimed ESPN, to dispel publicity stunt rumors, wouldnt let her back on air until she did a TV interview about the experience, adding more trauma.

Which other sporting broadcast scandals did we miss? Let us know below.