Nearly 40 months after video of her worst mistake hit Facebook, Emily Austen finally has a new full-time job in TV. The former FOX Sports Florida reporter is headed to Virginia, where she will anchor Liberty University’s sports television show Game On.
Austen appeared on broadcasts of Tampa Bay Rays and Orlando Magic Games until June of 2016. That is when a Facebook Live video of her disparaging Jews, Mexicans, and Asians hit the internet. In the video, she also called Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers a “little bitch.” FOX Sports Florida condemned the comments and fired Austen.
In a post on the Sports Spectrum website, Emily Austen credits her faith in carrying her through to her next opportunity. She also thanked Sports Spectrum host Jason Romano for his guidance.
The Internet painted me to be an absolute monster, but I gave them the paint to do it. I pray that I will have the opportunity to continue to show the world that the viral moment is not an accurate representation of my true character or integrity. I’m confident that my “painting” will eventually show my true colors.
Emily Austen, Sports Spectrum
In the time she has been away from TV, Austen has visited high schools, colleges, and even the BSM Summit in LA last year to share her story, including some of the jarring messages she received on social media in the wake of the video going viral. Her presentation focuses on how easy it is for one mistake to ruin a career and the support system necessary for someone that has made such a mistake in the age of social media.
