"At Golf Channel, women say, sexism fuels a ‘boys club’ culture"

The Washington Post’s Ben Strauss interviewed 16 former and two current Golf Channel employees after former reporter and Golf Central anchor Lisa Cornwell aired her concerns on the No Laying Up podcast. Strauss reports that the women described “sexism, misogyny and harassment they have endured at the network”.

Strauss writes:

Golf Channel has disputed Cornwell’s claims in a response to the EEOC. An NBC spokesman, Greg Hughes, said in an email that the network is “vigorously defending this matter.”

Presented with a list of allegations made by other women, Hughes disputed many of their claims and said “the vast majority” had been investigated and that “appropriate action was taken.” Others, he said, the network was only now hearing of and would investigate “promptly and thoroughly.” The network declined to make any employees available for interviews.

Many of the women spoke anonymously, citing fear of breaking the nondisclosure agreements they signed in exchange for severance when leaving the network and their future job prospects. Hughes said that former employees interested in speaking publicly could contact Golf Channel to be released from confidentiality agreements, but several women said they did not feel comfortable doing that.

“Golf Channel is committed to providing a workplace where all employees are treated equitably and respectfully, and regularly conducts training to support that goal,” Hughes said.

Of note: many of the situations detailed in the piece related to incidents over a decade ago and most of those who had complaints made against them were disciplined or are no longer at the network as a result of their behavior or cost cuts.

The reporting effort by Strauss is impressive. However, many of Cornwell’s accusations leveled in the NLU pod were not addressed even though some relate to the current culture under Comcast/NBC. Perhaps a product of the “EEOC” claim and need for confidentiality until that investigation is complete.