Mike Freeman (columnist)
For other people with similar names, see Mike Freeman (disambiguation)
Mike Freeman is a columnist for Bleacher Report. He has previously written for the New York Times, Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, Boston Globe and Florida Times-Union and CBSSports.com. He is also the author of five books, including a biography on Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden. His book ESPN: The Uncensored History, which alleged sexual harassment, drug use and gambling, was the first critical study of ESPN.[1][2]
In January 2004, Freeman resigned before starting a columnist job at The Indianapolis Star after he was discovered lying about his education, specifically falsely claiming a college degree.[3] Tom Jolly, sports editor at The New York Times, said "Mike's career here speaks for itself, he did some great work here".[4] Freeman subsequently said "There are no excuses and I have never made any. Never will either. I’ll get my degree this summer or fall and start my pursuit of an advanced degree the following spring."[5]
Freeman's columns have included accusations of racism and sexism against his colleagues in the New York press.[6] He was unsuccessfully sued for libel by golfer John Daly, with a circuit judge ruling that "Freeman's statements were either true or constitutionally protected opinion".[7] In 2002 Freeman called for a tougher program from the National Football League for monitoring off-the-field violence and drug use.[8]
References
- ↑ Off the Bookshelf, The Austin Chronicle, June 16, 2000
- ↑ Bristol Stomp, Sports Illustrated, April 3, 2000
- ↑ http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Daily/Issues/2004/01/Issue-77/Sports-Media/True-Lies-Freeman-Resigns-Indy-Post-Due-To-False-Resume.aspx
- ↑ Could Freeman Return to 'NY Times?', Editor and Publisher, Monday, January 12 2004
- ↑ Interview with Mike Freeman, The Big Lead, March 12, 2007
- ↑ Mike Freeman Chums the Waters, and the Sports Sharks Are Biting, The New York Observer, November 12, 2000
- ↑ Daly's libel suit doesn't go forward, ESPN, March 23, 2009
- ↑ Myriam Miedzian, Boys Will be Boys: Breaking the Link Between Masculinity and Violence, lv.
External links
- Biography, CBS Sports
- Biography, Harper Collins Publisher
- An ‘Enemies’ List at ESPN? Say What? An Interview with Sportsline’s Mike Freeman, The Big Lead, March 12, 2007