NFL Network’s former director of talent development is the latest one accused in the network’s ongoing sexual misconduct scandal, according to a report published Monday by Deadspin.
Marc Watts, who currently runs the media training company Marc’d Academy, is accused of making sexually charged comments during his time at the network, a former employee told the website under the condition of anonymity. In one instance, Watts allegedly showed the ex-reporter video résumés of women, commenting, “Look at the t—ies on that one.” Watts also allegedly asked his then-colleague if he was “f–king” a female co-worker from his previous company.
The anonymous insider also claimed Watts fat-shamed the same woman he allegedly coached in broadcasting, taking credit for her professional success at the network. The source recalled a conversation in Watts’ office, in which he allegedly asked the female anchor, “Who’s responsible for you being the talent that you are?” The woman replied it was Watts’ doing, and he later dubbed her the “Kim Kardashian of sports.” After she left his office, Watts is accused of saying she was initially “on the tubby side,” and that he told her to “lose some weight.”
The startling new report detailing the “toxic cesspool” of NFL Network’s work environment comes on the heels of former network stylist Jami Cantor’s lawsuit, filed last week in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing analysts Marshall Faulk, Heath Evans and Ike Taylor, among others, of sexual misconduct. She also claims Watts, who was named in the suit, disregarded her complaints of sexual harassment.
In addition to Cantor, female sports reporter Lindsay McCormick revealed she endured a nightmarish conversation with a former employee during NFL Network’s interview process, in which a network executive asked if she planned on getting “knocked up” upon being hired.
Last week, NFL Media’s vice president and executive editor, David Eaton, scrubbed his social media accounts of “years’ worth” of NSFW exchanges with escorts and porn stars.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday he takes all allegations “very seriously.”
