You don’t mess with LeBron James.
ESPN suspended radio host Dan LeBatard two days for purchasing “You’re Welcome, LeBron” billboards in Akron, Ohio. LeBatard, an unapologetic Miami homer, first investigated getting an ad placed in a local newspaper before going to the billboard plan.
“It’s just fun anarchy,” LeBatard said on his ESPN radio show recently, according to USA Today. “All meant in fun — which, of course, will turn into Cleveland people getting filled with rage, poison and irrational hostility and want to use those billboards as a guillotine. Sports are so great, the more irrational the better. This is a publicity stunt disguised as a movement. Please don’t tell anyone there is no actual movement.”
ESPN did not find the humor in it. ESPN spokesman Josh Krulewitz released a statement Thursday after the billboard went up.
“Dan LeBatard will be off the air for two days, returning Monday. His recent stunt does not reflect ESPN’s standards and brand. Additionally, we were not made aware of his plans in advance,” he said.
LeBatard’s “reason” for the billboard was that Heat fans never got thanked by James after he decided to leave Miami for the Cavaliers.
LeBatard, who also hosts ESPN2’s “Highly Questionable,” caused a bit of a stir last year when he sold his Hall of Fame ballot to Deadspin, which got him banned by the BBWAA.
ESPN recently suspended Stephen A. Smith a week for his comments on domestic violence in the wake of the NFL’s two-game suspension of Ray Rice.