ESPN releases anchor’s text messages after sexual harassment accusation

ESPN on Thursday released a series of text messages between an anchor and former fellow at the network after sexual misconduct allegations were made against the anchor.

Adrienne Lawrence told The Boston Globe that anchor John Buccigross had texted her shirtless pictures in addition to calling her “dollface,” “dreamgirl” and “longlegs” over text messages. 

{mosads}“We conducted a thorough investigation and found these claims to be entirely without merit. Lawrence was hired into a two-year talent development program and was told that her contract would not be renewed at the conclusion of the training program,” ESPN spokeswoman Katina Arnold said in a statement.

“At that same time, ESPN also told 100 other talent with substantially more experience, that their contracts would not be renewed. The company will vigorously defend its position and we are confident we will prevail in court,” the statement continued. 

While the text messages show Buccigross calling Lawrence “dollface,” “dreamgirl” and “longlegs,” ESPN said that based on the released text messages, “it’s clear that they had a consensual, personal friendship that spanned months.”

Lawrence’s accusations were just one part of the Globe’s story, which also detailed what it describes as “locker room culture” at ESPN and described a series of sexual misconduct allegations within the network.