Ex-ESPN talent files harassment lawsuit

HARTFORD, Conn. — A former on-air personality at ESPN has filed a lawsuit alleging she was subjected to sexual harassment at the cable television sports giant and then ostracized for complaining about it.

The lawsuit filed Sunday in federal court in Connecticut by Adrienne Lawrence describes an atmosphere in which male employees openly watch pornography on their computers and keep “scorecards” naming female colleagues they are targeting for sex.

Lawrence, who served a fellowship at ESPN, said in the lawsuit that she was subjected to unwelcome advances from anchor John Buccigross. She says he sent her unsolicited shirtless photos and used inappropriate nicknames like “doll” for her.

The lawsuit alleges that Lawrence was denied opportunities for professional development and passed over for a permanent job in retaliation for complaining to supervisors and the human resources department.

In its statement, ESPN said Lawrence was hired into a two-year talent development program and was told that her contract would not be renewed.

“At that same time, ESPN also told 100 other talent with substantially more experience, that their contracts would not be renewed,” the network said. “The company will vigorously defend its position and we are confident we will prevail in court.”