Andrew Blitz
Longtime baseball reporter Marly Rivera had always been known for her tenacity and no-nonsense attitude. But when reports emerged that she had hurled an obscenity at another reporter before a New York Yankees game, her career took a major hit.
Rivera had been working for ESPN for years, covering some of the biggest baseball stories in the country. But on that fateful day before the Yankees took on the Los Angeles Angels, her career came crashing down.
The incident reportedly began when Rivera confronted fellow reporter Ivón Gaete on the field. Rivera claimed she had scheduled time to speak with Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, but Gaete was apparently in the way. Things quickly escalated, and Rivera allegedly called Gaete a “fing c.”
TMZ obtained video of the confrontation, which quickly went viral. In the video, Rivera can be seen and heard uttering the phrase in front of Gaete, Judge, and a number of children and Yankees fans waiting for Judge to sign memorabilia. The language was not safe for work, and the incident quickly made headlines.
ESPN confirmed the firing on Wednesday, telling the New York Post that Rivera “no longer works here.” Rivera released a statement to the Post saying she should not have reacted the way she did, but claimed there were “extenuating circumstances.” She also called out her “sterling reputation across baseball.”
But on Thursday, The Washington Post revealed two more reported incidents in which Rivera was accused of acting in a hostile manner with other reporters. In one incident, Rivera allegedly flipped off and used the phrase “white b****” while referring to another reporter. In the other incident, Rivera reportedly referred to a Latino reporter as a “fake Hispanic.”
Multiple reporters provided details of those alleged incidents to The Washington Post, and Rivera’s reputation quickly took another hit. It was a stunning fall for a reporter who had been so well-respected in the industry for so many years.
For her part, Rivera has not spoken publicly since the incident, and it remains to be seen what the future holds for her career in baseball reporting. But one thing is clear: her actions on that day before the Yankees game will forever be remembered as a dark moment in her career, and a reminder of the importance of professionalism and respect in the world of sports reporting.
