Mike Freeman (columnist)

Mike Freeman is a columnist for Bleacher Report. He has previously written for The New York Times, Washington Post, Dallas Morning News, Boston Globe, Florida Times-Union and CBSSports.com. He is also the author of five books, including a biography on Florida State football coach Bobby Bowden. His book ESPN: The Uncensored History, which alleged sexual harassment, drug use and gambling, was the first critical study of ESPN.[1][2]

For other people with the same name, see Michael Freeman (disambiguation).

In January 2004, Freeman resigned before starting a columnist job at The Indianapolis Star after he was discovered lying about his education, specifically falsely claiming a college degree.[3] Tom Jolly, sports editor at The New York Times, said "Mike's career here speaks for itself, he did some great work here".[4] Freeman subsequently said "There are no excuses and I have never made any. Never will either. I’ll get my degree this summer or fall and start my pursuit of an advanced degree the following spring."[5]

Freeman's columns have included accusations of racism and sexism against his colleagues in the New York press.[6] He was unsuccessfully sued for libel by golfer John Daly, with a circuit judge ruling that "Freeman's statements were either true or constitutionally protected opinion".[7] In 2002 Freeman called for a tougher program from the National Football League for monitoring off-the-field violence and drug use.[8]

References
  1. Wade, Stuart (June 16, 2000). "Books: ESPN: The Uncensored History". The Austin Chronicle.
  2. Walters, John (April 3, 2000). "Bristol Stomp". Sports Illustrated. p. 20. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  3. "True Lies: Freeman Resigns Indy Post Due To False Resume". SportsBusiness Daily. January 12, 2004.
  4. Strupp, Joe (January 12, 2004). "Could Freeman Return to 'NY Times?'". Editor & Publisher. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  5. McIntyre, Jason (March 12, 2007). "An 'Enemies' List at ESPN? Say What? An Interview with Sportsline's Mike Freeman". The Big Lead.
  6. Snyder, Gabriel (November 13, 2000). "Mike Freeman Chums the Waters, and the Sports Sharks Are Biting". New York Observer. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  7. "Daly's libel suit doesn't go forward". ESPN.com. Associated Press. March 23, 2009.
  8. Freeman, Mike (July 26, 2002). "Fix Needed For Epidemic Of Violence". The New York Times. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
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