ESPN Vice President Burke Magnus has publicly acknowledged the network's "massive oversight" in failing to broadcast the national anthem before the Sugar Bowl on January 2nd, the day following a tragic truck attack in New Orleans. The attack claimed the lives of 14 individuals.
Magnus attributed the omission to human error by the Bristol, Connecticut, office staff, emphasizing their remorse while speaking on the Sports Business Journal's "Sports Media Podcast." He described the situation as an "unfortunate lapse" by a team that genuinely regrets the incident.
The national anthem being performed at the 2024 Sugar Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and Washington Huskies at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. (Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports)
The game's postponement due to the attack, Magnus explained, created unusual scheduling and staffing challenges for the broadcast team. He noted that the day following the attack presented numerous operational irregularities, affecting the programming schedule.
Magnus firmly stated that the decision to omit the anthem was unintentional. He rejected any speculation that ESPN was deliberately ignoring the tragic events in New Orleans, characterizing such interpretations as misguided. He reiterated that it was a regrettable error for which the network should be held responsible.
Authorities patrol Bourbon Street in New Orleans on Jan. 2, 2024. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)
He explained a confluence of factors, including a commercial break coinciding with the anthem performance, led to the unfortunate omission. Magnus admitted the situation fell short of ESPN's standards. Adding to the controversy, the network aired a message from Allstate CEO Tom Wilson addressing societal division, which sparked further criticism and calls for boycotts. Allstate subsequently removed the video from its social media platforms.
Tom Wilson, chair and CEO of Allstate Corp. (Misha Friedman/Bloomberg/File)
In response to the initial outcry, ESPN later aired the Sugar Bowl's national anthem during a "SportsCenter" broadcast, though some viewers felt this gesture was inadequate. The network subsequently ensured the anthem was broadcast before the Orange Bowl and the Cotton Bowl, even including a prayer before the latter game.
