LaVar Ball will keep being obnoxious on TV for as long as people let him keep going on air. That much is clear at this point.
LaVar Ball is a carnival barker at a circus that you wish to the heavens you could leave, because it’s a gross, loud, obnoxious one. Unfortunately for sportswriters across the country, and especially basketball ones, leaving the carnival isn’t really an option as long as he’s still allowed on TV.
If networks like ESPN stopped giving Ball airtime, then it might be a different story. However, that isn’t the world we live in yet.
Ball went on “First Take” this morning, and he had a terrible, sexist moment with the host. The only reason he was on the air this time around was due to the fact that his son, Lonzo Ball, just got traded to the Pelicans in a deal that brought Anthony Davis to his preferred destination, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Host Molly Qerim was trying to get Ball back on track during one of his rants saying, “LaVar, can I switch gears with you because I have a question here.”
Ball said back to her that “you can switch gears with me anytime.”
Ewwwww. This guy is so disgusting, and I hope ESPN wises up about this in the future and doesn’t let this guy on the air. Sometimes ratings are just not worth it. Also, this is a company owned by Disney. Is this the kind of person they want children listening to and emulating?
There is a larger responsibility here. How about this novel idea ESPN? Protect your female commentators! They already put up with more crap from male athletes and commentators than any casual fan realizes, and then you have this clown on the show for them to deal with too? Show a little respect for how hard these women work.
It wouldn’t surprise anyone if Jalen Rose socked Ball in the jaw before this calendar year is over. To say that Querim handled the situation with grace is an understatement. She didn’t mention the comment until the close of the show when she said: “If anyone’s calling HR today, it’s me.”
Please do Molly. Please do.