ESPN Suspends Smith For Abuse Comments

NEW YORK (AP) — ESPN says it has suspended sportscaster Stephen A. Smith for a week because of comments about domestic abuse suggesting women should make sure they don’t provoke attacks.

Smith has apologized for the comments that were made last Friday during an on-air discussion about NFL running back Ray Rice’s suspension for assaulting his fiancee. But ESPN said Tuesday that Smith would not appear on the ESPN2 show, “First Take,” or on ESPN radio until Aug. 6.

ESPN chief executive John Skipper said in a memo to the sports network’s staff members that Smith’s comments don’t reflect the company’s viewpoint or values.

ESPN said it was not disciplining another network host, Michelle Beadle, who pointedly criticized Smith on Twitter.