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ESPN is facing backlash for not airing an emotional National Anthem during the Sugar Bowl. This year’s Sugar Bowl was delayed by a day as a result of the attack on Bourbon Street that killed 14 people and left several others injured.
The College Football Playoff’s Notre Dame and Georgia game was then rescheduled to a 4 p.m. ET kickoff on Thursday.
SportsCenter” ended up serving as the pregame show due to the game being pushed back, and went to a commercial break before the moment of silence for the New Orleans terror attack victims, which angered fans.
Really, ESPN? You won’t show the National Anthem and moment of silence for the victims of the New Orleans jihadist terror attack??! There’s no excuse for that.
Disney’s CEO needs to step up to the plate and demand a complete reorg of the entire network — or just SELL it… NOW.
— Trish Regan (@trish_regan) January 2, 2025
According to the New York Post, ESPN is blaming a timing issue for awkwardly cutting to a commercial.
Via ESPN
“However, a source with knowledge of the situation told The Post that several factors played into why the national anthem and moment of silence didn’t make it on air, in particular, the awkwardness of the transition out of a commercial break.”
SportsCenter would later feature the moment of silence and national anthem on air.
Thursday night's episode of SportsCenter highlighted the moment of silence and national anthem at the Sugar Bowl after ESPN faced backlash for not airing either in real time ahead of the game. pic.twitter.com/AUK29Dp187
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) January 3, 2025