Twenty-five minutes into this video, Fox Sports Florida reporter Emily Austen begins chatting about Mexicans, Jews, Chinese and others. It isn’t pretty.
Her repeated slurs and stereotypes sidelined the sideline broadcaster, who covers the NBA’s Orlando Magic and MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays.
As the New York Daily News reported: “Austen said she ‘didn’t even know that Mexicans were that smart,’ while discussing a story about a Texas valedictorian who announced that she’s an undocumented immigrant. Austen added that the ‘Chinese guy is always the smartest guy in math class,’ and that when she ‘used to talk to Jews in Boca,’they ‘would complain and b—- about everything.'”
Fox Sports Florida GM Steve Tello was quoted in a statement Friday that the network was aware of Austen’s “insensitive and derogatory comments.”
“She was not speaking on behalf of Fox Sports, nor do we condone any of the statements she made in the video,” Tello said. “Emily has been advised that her comments were unacceptable, and she is not scheduled to appear on any upcoming Fox Sports Florida or Fox Sports Sun broadcasts.”
The Daily News said the video first appeared on Barstool Sports’ Facebook page, but in a separate post, the sports website said it was accidentally deleted. But it was uploaded to Vimeo.
Austen had not commented on her Twitter account as of Friday afternoon.
But commenters on her Instagram account were merciless: “Oh so you don’t think Mexicans are smart but you love their food. Wow what a racist piece of s— you are.”
Critics on other barstools:
My mom is Asian and my father is Mexican… I think I’d make a helluva replacement for Emily Austen. https://t.co/Y5GMhGecIJ
— Crystal Vasquez (@CrystalDFW) June 10, 2016
Emily Austen is what happens when our business focuses more on style than substance.
— Michael Jenkins (@JenksCSN) June 10, 2016
#Magic said they completely support FOX’s decision regarding sideline reporter Emily Austen. Understanding is her employment has ended.
— Orlando Magic Daily (@OMagicDaily) June 10, 2016
Emily Austen reminds me of people that go on Stern and get in trouble trying to be funny with him. Come on, people. Be smarter than that.
— Jim Weber (@JimMWeber) June 10, 2016
How to ruin your career in 35 minutes, starring Emily Austen https://t.co/28iGnQaJ6q
— Tim Baysinger (@tim_bays) June 10, 2016