ESPNer’s Magic rant sparks racism claim from Keyshawn

A handful of ESPN personalities bared their claws Thursday in response to radio host Dan Le Batard’s Magic Johnson takedown, which at least one of his colleagues believed to be racially motivated.

Debating Johnson’s recent promotion to the Lakers’ president of basketball operations with co-host Jon “Stugotz” Weiner on his ESPN Radio show Thursday morning, Le Batard sounded dumbfounded by the Lakers’ faith in their former star who, according to the talking head, hasn’t proven himself in any of his careers outside of basketball.

“What you’ve got here though, is a testament to the power of fame. And a testament to the power of a modicum of charm,” Le Batard said. “Because Magic Johnson is charming. But Magic Johnson was given a late- night television show because he’s famous and charming. Failed in 11 shows. Magic Johnson was given a head coaching job of the Lakers because he’s famous and charming. Failed in 16 games. Magic Johnson, not interesting as a broadcaster, given broadcasting opportunity after broadcasting opportunity, because he’s famous and charming.

“And now, he gets to run the entire Lakers organiza- tion because he’s famous and charming. But he wasn’t good at any of those jobs I just mentioned, and he got all of those jobs, bypassing a whole lot of people who are more qualified, because he’s famous and charming.”

Keyshawn Johnson resumed the topic on his Los Angeles-based ESPN Radio show, defending Magic Johnson and urging Le Batard to “shut up” after spewing inaccurate and in- sensitive insults at the Lakers great.

“I can’t tolerate this dude! I can’t tolerate him saying these things about Magic Johnson because his facts are completely wrong!” the former Jets wide receiver said.

Johnson, who joined ESPN as an analyst after retiring from the NFL in 2006, suggested Le Batard’s personal attack on Magic Johnson and his qualifications was a sign of racism.

“I’m going to read between the lines, I’m going to read between the lines on this one,” he said. “To me, he saying because he’s a black dude, that’s the way I look at it …”

While fellow host Jorge Sedano countered Keyshawn Johnson’s accusation, repeatedly trying to assure him he knows Le Batard and he’s not a racist, two more sports celebrities chimed in and supported Johnson.