PFT: NFLN keeps Irvin on air for Super Bowl/ESPN planned to sever ties with Irvin

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Posted by Evan Silva on February 5, 2010 5:57 PM ET

Amid allegations from a woman who claims Michael Irvin raped her at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in 2007, the NFL Network announced Friday that Irvin will stay on the air for Super Bowl weekend.

The announcement came via NFL Network Total Access host Fran Charles early Friday evening. Charles said that NFLN is "looking into" the alleged crime and civil suit, but no action will be taken by the network at this time.


Hours earlier, ESPN Radio announced that Irvin had been removed from its 103.3 affiliate in Dallas.

Source: ESPN planned to sever ties with Irvin on Monday

Posted by Mike Florio on February 5, 2010 5:51 PM ET

On Thursday, word broke that Hall of Fame receiver Michael Irvin had been sued for rape -- and that a criminal investigation of the matter is still pending.

On Friday, ESPN dumped Irvin from its Dallas-based radio operation.

Per a source with knowledge of the situation, ESPN had planned to give notice of its intention to terminate the relationship on Monday, February 8. His replacement already had been hired, we're told.

It's unknown whether Irvin had disclosed to ESPN the existence of the pending legal imbroglio; if he hadn't, the decision to part ways was likely even easier to make.

And some of you have raised a valid question regarding the decision of ESPN to acknowledge the reports regarding the claims against Irvin, given the decision to ignore for multiple days the civil sexual assault charges made against Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Differences exist between the two situations. In Irvin's case, criminal charges have been pursued, and the initial report contained a statement from Irvin's lawyer. Also, Irvin no longer is playing; thus, the report would have no impact on his on-field performance.

None of this changes our belief that the claims against Roethlisberger should have been reported more promptly. But we can understand ESPN's decision to go with the Irvin report.
 
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