ESPN contributor Jay Mariotti was arrested early Saturday morning on charges of domestic violence involving his girlfriend, Los Angeles police told TheWrap.
The 51-year old “Around The Horn” commentator was taken into custody around 4 a.m. in Venice, Ca. Mariotti was booked on felony charges and, according to a law enforcement individual familiar with the matter, is being held on $50,000 bail.
Mariotti could be facing time behind bars if found guilty. Domestic violence felony charge can carry between six months and three years depending on the individual’s history and other specifics.
Mariotti, who was a columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times for almost to two decades and now writes for AOL’s FanHouse.com, has never shied away from a dust-up in his professional life. The opinionated and sometimes caustic columnist has verbally battled fellow “Around The Horn” panelist Woody Paige, athletes and even movie critic Roger Ebert.
Attempts by TheWrap to reach ESPN and FanHouse.com for comment were not immediately returned Saturday.
