A few days after demoting him, ESPN has decided to severe ties with outspoken soccer analyst Eric Wynalda, according to Soccer By Ives, which reports that the parties couldn’t agree on a new role, so it’s believed that ESPN bought out the remaining year on Wynalda’s contract.
Last week, the Walt Disney company decided to drop the controversial analyst from its MLS Thursday night telecasts, replacing him with former national team teammate John Harkes, another soccer analyst. Wynalda was supposed to move over to in-studio and Champions League coverage.
During his time with ESPN, Wynalda drew intense criticism for comments he made on-air about fellow commentator Jim Rome, an admitted soccer-basher, and for a comment he made during an MLS Playoff game last year. As cameras pointed to Chicago Fire fans lighting flares in the stands, Wynalda said, “looks like California.” After that, the producer immediately cut him off, and viewers heard nothing but silence for a few moments, as the comment came at the height of wildfire problem in California last summer. Where will Wynalda go now? “Don’t be surprised to see him wind up in San Jose as part of the Earthquakes broadcast team, assuming he doesn’t just take some time off to spend his buyout money,” says blogger Ives Galarcep.