Kevin Winter/Getty Images

ESPN Chairman Had Telling Response To Jimmy Kimmel Question

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Sep 18, 2025 5:43 PM ET

Did ESPN play a role in the suspension of ABC's Jimmy Kimmel and his show? The company's chairman was asked that very question today.

Kimmel was suspended indefinitely by the higher-ups at ABC and their parent company Disney following comments he made about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The move was widely criticized by people who believe that Disney is acquiescing to the Trump administration over fears of their media deal with the NFL being jeopardized in final approval.

Naturally, people quickly grew suspicious and it was only a matter of time before the big boss at ESPN was asked about it.

During an appearance at Media Trends Live, ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro was asked by Axios' Sara Fischer if his Disney superiors pulled Kimmel off the air to help in the impending regulatory hearings on a pending media deal between ESPN and the NFL.

But according to Rich Greenfield, Pitaro dodged the question instead.

Jimmy Pitaro @espn asked if Jimmy Kimmel was pulled off air to help win regulatory approval for pending @nfl deal by @axios @sarafischer

Pitaro avoids answering $DIS #MediaTrendsLive pic.twitter.com/S7pCcFk6Co
— Rich Greenfield, LightShed (@RichLightShed) September 18, 2025

Sometimes very little says a lot. Pitaro could be dismissing the question because he thinks it's silly or dismissing it because he doesn't want to admit to having any role in his company taking a popular figure off the air.

Either way, it's a rough look.

The Jimmy Kimmel Suspension

Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show Jimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended indefinitely by ABC on September 17, 2025, after Kimmel made controversial remarks during a recent monologue about the killing of Charlie Kirk. Kimmel suggested that “many in MAGA land are working very hard to characterize this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them… doing everything they can to score political points.”

The comments triggered backlash from conservative media and broadcasters. Nexstar Communications, which owns many ABC-affiliated stations, pulled the show from those stations, calling Kimmel’s remarks offensive and insensitive. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr condemned the remarks and warned of potential regulatory action against ABC and Disney.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: