Former WISH-TV racing analyst and IndyCar driver Derek Daly is suing Emmis Communications, the Indianapolis Colts, retired broadcaster Bob Lamey and sports radio host Joe Staysniak.
Daly was fired from his analyst gig with WISH-TV Channel 8 in Aug. 2018 after the network learned he used a racial slur during an interview in 1983. The 35-year old incident came to light when Emmis engineer Sharlene Birdsong overhead Lamey retell Staysniak the story off-air.
Daly, however, claims inaccuracies in the way Lamey portrayed the story led to his firing, according to the IndyStar. Lamey spent 31 years as the Colts radio play-by-play voice and Staysniak co-hosts the morning show on the team’s flagship station, WFNI ESPN 107.5/1070 The Fan which is owned by Emmis.
While being interviewed as a rookie driver in 1983, Daly casually said “the only (racial slur) in the wood pile would be me.” The Ireland born racecar driver was quickly informed the word was offensive and he apologized on-air, admitting ignorance over the term. Daly has acknowledged the story, but appears to believe the way Lamey was overheard retelling the incident caused him added damages.
The same month Daly was fired, Lamey announced his retirement from the Colts radio booth. After Birdsong overheard Lamey’s conversation with Staysniak, she reportedly informed Emmis Communications who contacted the Colts. Both Lamey and the Colts insisted the broadcaster’s departure from the radio booth was due to retirement.
Brandon Contes is a former reporter for BSM, now working for Awful Announcing. You can find him on Twitter @BrandonContes or reach him by email at Brandon.Contes@gmail.com.
