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Yesterday afternoon we learned of the shocking firing of popular ESPN reporter Adnan Virk, who was let go by the company for allegedly leaking confidential info to the media.
Via NY Post
ESPN rising star Adnan Virk has been fired by the network, sources told The Post.
Virk is accused of leaking confidential company information to the media on multiple occasions, according to sources.
When ESPN investigated the allegations, it felt that Virk failed to fully cooperate.
Apparently Virk had leaked info regarding the company’s negotiations with the MLB to cut down on daily studio shows during the season to AwfulAnnouncing.com
The instance that led to the final decision to relieve Virk concerned a story that appeared on the website Awful Announcing.
In part, the report said Major League Baseball had opted to let ESPN slide on contractual obligations that called for it to have a certain amount of studio shows during the season in return for moving “Sunday Night Baseball” from 8 p.m. to 7 p.m.
ESPN had a conference call about “Sunday Night Baseball” that the network believes Virk revealed to Awful Announcing. Sources said the “premeditated nature” of the outreach alarmed ESPN. It is unclear what motivated Virk, though sources often try to curry favor with reporters.
When the conference call took place, Virk was not on the whole time, and the specific information about the future schedule for baseball was actually not discussed.
Virk followed up right after the call with Phil Orlins, the senior coordinating producer, asking specific questions about the direction of baseball at ESPN in regards to its scheduling. The questions matched what appeared later that day in the Awful Announcing article
Virk is now lawyering up and is reportedly planning to sue ESPN over lost compensation after the firing.
Per sources: Adnan Virk is currently pursuing a lawyer regarding what is remaining on his ESPN contract/other issues related to ESPN's decision. ESPN has not yet offered specifics on the dismissal. A guess: Virk will discuss what happened from his perspective sooner than later.
— Richard Deitsch (@richarddeitsch) February 4, 2019
NEWS: Adnan Virk plots ESPN lawsuit after firing over MLB leak https://t.co/0e2gefskY4 via @nypostsports
— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) February 4, 2019
Fired ESPN anchor Adnan Virk is pursuing legal action against his ex-employer, sources have told The Post.
Sources say that Virk’s side contends he received no warning and the punishment does not fit the crime. They were shocked by the outcome, thinking that, at most, Virk might be suspended for two weeks for what they considered a lapse in judgment.
Sources on ESPN’s side point out that everyone in the company is required to take compliance training that includes not leaking confidential information, and termination could be a result.
Sucks to see Virk and ESPN heading towars a messy divorce considering how well liked he was by viewers.