Report reveals fired ESPN reporter had multiple incidents, created ‘toxic work environment’

Marly Rivera, fired by ESPN on Wednesday, had multiple explosive run-ins with fellow reporters according to investigative reporting.

Editor’s note: The following article includes censored references to crass language that are pertinent to the story. 

According to the New York Post, ESPN fired MLB reporter Marly Rivera on Wednesday following an investigation of allegations that she called a fellow reporter a “f—ing c—” when she cut off her established interview time with Aaron Judge at a recent Yankees home game.

The incident was reportedly caught on camera and subsequently investigated by the MLB and ESPN.

Ben Strauss of the Washington Post reported on the incident and spoke with reporters with knowledge of Rivera (subscription may be required) about this incident, and others. Strauss described the insights from reporters as wide-ranging, with some amounting to the cultivation of a, “toxic work environment.”

There are two further incidents Strauss specifically refers to specifically in his reporting. He says in one, Rivera flipped off another reporter and called her a, “white b—-“. She also called a Latino reporter a, “Fake Hispanic.”

Rivera was well-known among English and Spanish-speaking audiences because she frequently communicated with athletes in both languages depending on their preferences.

Who did Marly Rivera’s incident happen with?

Marly Rivera’s incident that prompted ESPN’s investigation of her conduct and decorum came due to Ivon Gaete getting in the way of her scheduled interview with Aaron Judge.

Rivera told Andrew Marchand she believes she was targeted in part because Rivera has had a contentious relationship with Gaete’s husband, John Blundell who is the league’s Vice President of Communications.

According to the New York Post, Rivera had been with ESPN for 13 years.