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ESPN president Jimmy Pitaro seems shockingly self-aware about the network’s problems with getting into politics.

“What I’ve heard consistently from day one of getting this job is the more we lean into politically charged commentary, the more we are alienating not just our core fan, but our casual fan,” Pitaro told John Ourand of Sports Business Journal Wednesday.

Pitaro on the role politics play at ESPN #sbjsmt pic.twitter.com/1aD6wE35QG — SBJ/SBD (@sbjsbd) October 17, 2018

I never thought I’d see the day when ESPN finally just came right out and admitted it was being absurdly stupid with its rush towards liberal politics. Well, I was clearly wrong because Pitaro absolutely hit the nail on the head here. (RELATED: ESPN Is Making Major Changes, And It’s Good News For Conservative Sports Fans)

It appeared the network would never pull itself out of the nosedive it’s still arguably in. However, Pitaro seems aware of the problem, which is the first step in fixing it.

We need to go back to the days of just talking and watching sports. I don’t tune into ESPN to get a lecture. I can go to a variety of different networks if that’s what I’m looking for. When I’m watching a sports network, I just want to watch highlights of the game. That’s all. I don’t need to hear anything else. I damn sure don’t need ESPN pundits giving me their hot takes about Trump.

Only time will tell if Pitaro is the man capable of saving ESPN, but I like his odds. What a refreshing change of pace.

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