On Monday former New York Mets GM Jared Porter had admitted to sending text messages to a foreign female correspondent who had moved to the United States to cover the MLB. While Porter did not admit to sending lewd pictures of himself, it was confirmed by ESPN that Porter had in fact sent various unsolicited images and texts to the reporter in 2016.
According to the copy of the text history acquired by ESPN, Porter had sent an inappropriate X-rated image of himself along with 15 photos of the hotel he was staying at and 1 picture of his groin. The female reporter stated at one point she received over 60 messages from Porter, and once she ignored him the messages continued.
Mets owner Steve Cohen wasted little time, 12 hours approximately, to fire the 41-year-old former GM. Cohen released a statement stating: “I spoke about the importance of integrity and I meant it. There should be zero tolerance for this type of behavior.” It was a promise Cohen made to fans when he bought the team in November to bring back accountability and integrity to the New York Mets.
We have terminated Jared Porter this morning . In my initial press conference I spoke about the importance of integrity and I meant it.There should be zero tolerance for this type of behavior.
— Steven Cohen (@StevenACohen2) January 19, 2021
Twitter reactions to Jared Porter firing
We have terminated General Manager Jared Porter, effective immediately. pic.twitter.com/eD0ifVJ0eH
— New York Mets (@Mets) January 19, 2021
As was expected many pundits weighed in on this situation and stressed to continue to make sports media work environments safe for women, where this practice, according to some, is common. The female reporter now works in finance and has left the journalism industry all together.
This was an important step, but there is a reason Jared Porter thought this was acceptable behavior. If you work in sports media, you can help by creating press boxes and work environments where women feel safe and can just do their jobs. https://t.co/ucwcgEdEeM
— Iliana Limón Romero (@osiliana) January 19, 2021
This Jared Porter story is so depressing, gross, and common. Bet there are a lot of guys in sports getting very nervous reading a story about a man who wouldn’t stop sending explicit messages despite being ignored for sixty previous texts https://t.co/2CuwnxPzgK
— Charlotte Wilder (@TheWilderThings) January 19, 2021
11:04 pm: ESPN publishes story revealing Jared Porter’s harrassment of a female media member, complete with text-by-text creepiness.
7:55 am: On Twitter, Mets owner Steve Cohen announces Porter’s firing.
— Marc Carig (@MarcCarig) January 19, 2021
When Jared Porter got hired, many, many people lauded the move for his character and integrity. Let this be a lesson. Character is not defined by who confirms trade rumors or answers your calls.
— Britt Ghiroli (@Britt_Ghiroli) January 19, 2021
Good for Steve Cohen quickly firing Jared Porter, but now front offices, scouting departments, et al all across the sports world now need to do the following:
Evaluate the people you employ.
Listen to women.
Believe women.
Harbor safer environments for women.
Be better.
— Coley Harvey (@ColeyHarvey) January 19, 2021
For the New York Mets this is yet another back step for a club that can’t seem to shake off internal issues. Last season the Mets fired Carlos Beltrán after it was revealed he had a key role in the sign stealing scheme by the Houston Astros in 2017. Beltrán was on the job for only two months. New owner Steve Cohen was named in a 2018 lawsuit against the hedge fund he worked for as CEO where allegations were made about unfair pay practices and a sexist working environment.
