Former ESPN reporter Ed Werder on Monday called out Sports Illustrated writer Charlotte Wilder for encouraging women to apply for a new editorial opening at the iconic sports magazine — and suggested she was guilty of sexism.
“So men need not apply? Any others ineligible?” Werder in a quote tweet.
“Oh WOW you’re right, Ed,” Wilder shot back. “Sorry for attempting to make sports media more than 10 percent female, my bad.”
Oh WOW you're right, Ed, sorry for attempting to make sports media more than 10% female, my bad
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) June 18, 2018
The spat began after Sports Illustrated tweeted a posting for an entry-level breaking news writing position in New York City.
“If you can stand sitting near me in the office this is a v cool opportunity,” Wilder tweeted to her 24,000 followers, before offering the kicker. “Especially if you’re a woman trying to get into sports, you should message me — DMs are open.”
In follow-up tweets to his 205,000-plus Twitter fan base, Werder explained that he wanted to be able to tell journalism students that they would each be given a fair shake in the employment market.
Still, he ultimately walked back the sexism implications, saying he just wanted to advocate for an “inclusive process.”
“My intention was to advocate for an inclusive process,” he said. “I didn’t mean to offend anyone. Quite the opposite.”
My intention was to advocate for an inclusive process. I didn’t mean to offend anyone. Quite the opposite.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdESPN) June 18, 2018
Werder was laid off from ESPN back in 2017 during a sweeping purge which saw a number of top talent depart the network.