ESPN commentator under fire for calling gymnasts 'scantily clad girls'

Comment comes at sensitive time for women’s gymnastics, in the wake of the Larry Nassar sex abuse trial

An ESPN commentator has caused outrage after referring to female gymnasts as "scantily-clad girls".

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) and its ESPN-owned TV network have condemned the comments by Barry Booker, which came while he was covering a college basketball game between Missouri and Arkansas on Saturday that was broadcast on SEC Network.

After a promotion for an upcoming gymnastics meeting on 14 February, Mr Booker said: “Go hang out with the ladies.... I mean... I wanna go see some scantily clad girls.”

Reacting to the comments, his co-presenter, Richard Cross, quickly said: “No, no. One of the great family atmospheres that you will find in all of college athletics.”

Mr Booker then said that he would be watching the network's Friday Night Heights gymnastics franchise from his hotel room because he would be on the road for the network.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey released a statement describing the comments as “inappropriate” and said that the “SEC’s women’s gymnastics student-athletes deserve our support for many reasons, including their dedication and achievement.”

SEC Network added to the statement, saying: “The comments made during yesterday’s telecast were inappropriate and unacceptable. We take this matter seriously and are addressing it internally. SEC Network respects all student-athletes, and is committed to showcasing women’s sports with the utmost regard.”

Booker apologised for his comments later in the broadcast.

Twitter users were quick to voice their displeasure, with many calling for the network to fire Mr Booker.

@alieye tweeted: “Gross! These are extremely talented athletes who have spent years training. Get your mind out of the gutter and appreciate their efforts.”

User @FrenchyFinn said: “If ‘addressing internally’ means he is still employed, this is a double failure, on his part and yours. To suggest he would watch ‘later in his hotel room’ is vile and gross. He should not be on the air again. This is not okay and suspension is meaningless.”

The inappropriate comment comes at a particularly sensitive time for women’s gymnastics, in the wake of the Larry Nassar trial and USA Gymnastics’ offer to settle the legal claims of his victims.

Nassar, a former USA Gymnastics doctor, is believed to have sexually assaulted up to 250 girls and young women and one boy. He was jailed for 175 years in prison in 2018 after admitting seven counts of sexual assault against minors, with another 40 to 125 years added when he plead guilty to three counts of sexual assault.

Mr Booker played basketball for Vanderbilt in the late 1980s and has been a long time SEC commentator. He previously got into trouble with the network for giving a producer the middle finger during a broadcast in 2014.