ESPN host Pat McAfee referenced a false and damaging rumor about a college student on his show on February 26, contributing to a wave of harassment and potential legal action. ESPN declined to comment on the incident, highlighting concerns about irresponsible media practices.

A report from The Big Lead details that ESPN's repeated layoffs over recent years, including high-profile on-air talent, have created a palpable sense of job insecurity among staff in Bristol.

An ESPN-affiliated talk show, hosted by Pat McAfee on ESPN’s platform, propagated a salacious and unfounded rumor about a college freshman that led to severe harassment and humiliation. This incident has raised concerns about the platform's responsibility in moderating content that can fuel harmful narratives against vulnerable groups.

The article details ESPN’s shift away from its former politically active stance following the Trump election. Under CEO Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN has adopted a business-first approach to political content, engaging only when there is a clear sports intersection. Critics argue that this calculated retreat represents a missed opportunity to challenge authoritarian tendencies, reflecting a broader trend where corporate interests override a robust political defense against rising fascism.

ESPN Plus has implemented revised guidelines for political discussion which require linking political commentary to sports coverage. The update is intended to bolster journalistic integrity, promote transparency, and mitigate undue political influence across its platforms.

Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are investigating claims that ESPN+ may have violated the Video Privacy Protection Act by secretly collecting and sharing subscribers' personal data—including Facebook IDs and video viewing details—with Meta via a tracking tool.

ESPN+ is facing a legal battle over allegations that it shared subscriber data with Meta without proper consent, potentially violating the Video Privacy Protection Act. The dispute centers on the use of Meta's pixel tracking tool, which allegedly tracked user viewing habits, leading to mass arbitration efforts by affected subscribers.

ESPN has introduced updated internal guidelines that delineate acceptable political and social commentary for its employees. The new policy distinguishes between hard news and commentary by emphasizing transparency, balanced reporting, and the need to connect political discourse to sports content. This move is designed to maintain credibility while allowing for thoughtful, respectful political discussion on ESPN platforms.

ESPN updated its internal social media guidelines to promote civil, responsible online engagement amid a politically polarized climate. The guidelines stress that social media posts by ESPN employees, even on personal accounts, reflect on the network and should be measured, emphasizing thoughtful judgment and the preservation of journalistic integrity.

On July 6, 2023, ESPN underwent significant layoffs of prominent on-air personalities, signaling a strategic restructuring as the company shifts its focus from traditional cable to competing with major tech platforms in live sports rights. The move is seen as part of a broader shift in the company's business practices that can negatively impact worker security and rights.

ESPN Plus, a subscription-based streaming service from ESPN, has initiated layoffs as part of broader cost-cutting efforts by its parent company, Disney, impacting numerous employees and raising concerns about worker rights and corporate labor practices.

A recent ESPN report highlights the network’s longstanding content-sharing arrangement with Chinese firm Tencent. This relationship has come under fire after Tencent pulled Celtics games from its streaming service following criticism of China’s human rights record and forced labor practices. The arrangement, which affects ESPN+ streaming, raises questions about complicity in endorsing an ecosystem where state censorship and unethical labor practices prevail.

OpenSecrets donor lookup data indicates that ESPN appears in political contribution records as of January 25, 2022. Such contributions raise concerns about corporate influence in political financing, especially given the opacity typical of these donations and the potential to sway political outcomes in favor of authoritarian policies.

Multiple Black employees at ESPN have come forward with accounts of systemic racial discrimination within the workplace, where promises of improved diversity and equal opportunity remain unfulfilled. Despite ESPN’s public statements on creating an inclusive environment, reports indicate that discriminatory practices in promotions and everyday remarks persist, undermining worker rights and contributing to a culture that marginalizes minority employees.

ESPN suspended journalist Jemele Hill on October 9, 2017 after tweets that suggested an advertiser boycott and criticized NFL team owners, highlighting the network's prioritization of business relationships over independent journalistic expression.