It’s rare to see people of different backgrounds, from different media companies together on one show. But Tuesday afternoon, Outkick’s Jason Whitlock joined Kayce Smith on her SiriusXM Barstool Radio Show to discuss their recent social media debate.
Last week, Whitlock wrote a column claiming privilege for attractive women looking for jobs in sports. In the column, Whitlock cited Maria Taylor, Erin Andrews and Katie Nolan as female sports journalists who were helped in receiving jobs by their physical appearance.
Barstool’s Kayce Smith acknowledged looks can play a role in determining opportunities and success for men and women in the sports media industry, but her issue stemmed from the idea that it can be the only factor.
The conversation moved toward Whitlock sharing an Instagram photo of Smith in a dress while she was vacationing in Los Angeles. It should be noted, the photo was first shared with Whitlock by one of his Twitter followers, he didn’t appear to have been scouring Smith’s Instagram account for point-making pictures.
Whitlock claimed sharing the photo was a form of comedy, an opinion Smith and her co-host Kevin Clancy pushed back on. The odd part about the interview was they essentially agreed looks can enhance a person’s sports media success, but debated the idea of Whitlock sharing Smith’s dress photo being “just a joke.”
The bigger takeaway from this interview should be the willingness of Whitlock and Smith to have an actual conversation following a social media dispute. When two journalists or entertainers from different companies argue on social media, it’s not uncommon for one person to invite the other and their show or platform. But rarely does the invitee accept the offer. They may not have agreed or settled the situation, but credit Whitlock for joining Smith on her Barstool Radio show.
I wrote this earlier in the week after the Twitter quarrel between Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Outkick founder Clay Travis. Travis invited Cuban onto his radio show to continue the discussion, knowing the offer would likely be declined. But I have no doubt the offer was genuine. Whitlock actually went ahead and joined someone else’s brand to address a disagreement, a rarity in media.
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.
