Associated Press
BRISTOL, Conn. — ESPN has fired announcer Ron Franklin after he reportedly berated a female colleague.
The network had pulled him from its radio coverage of Saturday’s Fiesta Bowl, and Franklin issued a public apology.
Sideline reporter Jeannine Edwards wrote in an e-mail to USA Today in response to Internet reports Monday that Franklin called her “sweet baby” in a condescending tone Friday. When she objected, he used a derogatory term. Edwards said a colleague reported the incident to ESPN officials.
ESPN spokesman Mike Soltys said Tuesday that “based on what occurred last Friday, we have ended our relationship with him.”
Franklin had worked for ESPN since 1987, calling primarily college football and basketball.
BASEBALL
BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a $10 million, two-year contract with right-handed reliever Kevin Gregg.
• TORONTO — Reliever Octavio Dotel has agreed to a $3.5 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.
• ARLINGTON, Tex. — All-Star third baseman Adrian Beltre and the AL champion Texas Rangers are nearing agreement on a contract.
TAURASI UPDATE
ANKARA, Turkey — WNBA star Diana Taurasi’s backup doping sample came back positive and she faces a possible two-year ban, Turkish news reports said.
The Phoenix Mercury standout and former Connecticut star tested positive for the banned stimulant modafinil while playing in Turkey’s pro league.
SOCCER
LONDON — David Beckham is still waiting for the Los Angeles Galaxy to approve a loan to a European club, with Tottenham among the clubs eager to sign the former England captain.