Just weeks before the scheduled launch of ESPN’s The Undefeated, a new website about the intersection of sports and race, commentator Jason Whitlock was replaced Friday as its head, reports the New York Times. Leon Carter, the site’s editorial director, will replace him on an interim basis, the report says.
The Undefeated was built largely around Whitlock, who has written for years about race and sports. He had previously been fired from ESPN in 2006, notes the Times.
In April, Deadspin's Greg Howard excoriated the site, describing an organization beset by problems caused by Whitlock’s fledgling managerial style.
“Jason Whitlock will now be entirely focused on what he does best: creating distinctive and compelling content, which will live across various ESPN platforms,” reads an ESPN news release, cited by Business Insider. “Jason’s thought-provoking perspective has always been a hallmark of his work and this will allow him to completely devote his time and energy to that.”