Buffalo area sports journalist Jerry Sullivan was fired for remarks during an appearance on the Trainwreck Sports podcast deemed sexist.
Jerry Sullivan via allsportswny YouTUbe
During Trainwreck Tonight 273 on December 12th, Sullivan responded to a woman criticizing the podcast saying, “Hey women, be better than this because the worst fans really are the women. They don’t get critical journalism. They’re all wannabe cheerleaders. You know what I mean?”
He continued, “It’s a dangerous avenue to go down to criticize women in general because they’re better than men generally. … They don’t get it as fans.”
“The worst fans really are the women. They don’t get critical journalism. They’re all wannabe cheerleaders”
-Jerry Sullivan
YIKES. pic.twitter.com/FrHfB3quay
— NoShaveDave (@NoShaveDaveee) December 13, 2022
After these comments made the rounds on social media Trainwreck Sports distanced themselves from Sullivan despite the two other men, Zach Sheldon and Alex Shupe, who appeared on the podcast with Sullivan nodded along to his comments.
Trainwreck Sports issued a statement to Twitter reading, “Last night on Trainwreck Tonight 273, comments were made by a guest. Our team does not condone them, the comments, or the sentiment in any way, shape, or form.”
“Empowering women doesn’t come down to making statements like this – It comes down to standing up for them when they are done wrong, and last night they were. Our community is great because of everyone that encompasses it,” they concluded.
Trainwreck Sports Twitter
Sullivan would then issue an apology writing on Twitter, “I’d like to apologize for comments I made on a podcast last night that were uncalled for and insulting to women. I should be better than that.”
Jerry Sullivan Twitter
Minutes after issuing the apology, Greater Niagra Sports announced they fired Sullivan and accused him of misogyny. Greater Niagra Sports represents the sports departments for the Niagara Gazette and The Lockport Union Sun & Journal.
Their statement reads, “In light of comments made by columnist Jerry Sullivan on a podcast Monday, GNN Sports has made the decision to part ways. We do not condone misogynistic, insensitive or derogatory comments in any form.”
They then added, “We thank Jerry for his efforts and content during his time with the company. GNN Sports will remain committed to providing readership with accurate, fair and quality stories.”
Greater Niagra Sports Twitter
Buffalo News reports Sullivan was also fired from WIVB-TV (Channel 4). They note that Channel 4 General Manager Joe Abouzeid declined to comment, but a source informed them that “Sullivan was fired Tuesday afternoon, but Channel 4’s owner, Nexstar, has no plans to announce it.”
They do note that “As of Tuesday afternoon, Sullivan was no longer listed on the station’s website.”
Jerry Sullivan and Art Wander via allsportswny YouTube
After being fired Sullivan tweeted, “Recently, I’ve written countless women’s sports features, from UB basketball and soccer to Medaille bowling, Olympic rowing and Lancaster High golf. It’s sad that due to one stupid comment, many of these types of stories, which go largely ignored in local media, will go untold.”
Jerry Sullivan Twitter
What do you make of Sullivan getting canned for his remarks about women?