ESPN Mistakenly Swaps Rondale Moore and Myles Price Photos
In a recent incident on ESPN, the network mistakenly aired a photo of Myles Price instead of Rondale Moore during their SportsCenter broadcast. This error occurred in the early hours of Saturday, where, at 1:07 a.m. ET, viewers saw the incorrect image aired as part of a segment covering the tragic passing of Vikings receiver Rondale Moore.
Details of the Incident
The mix-up was acknowledged by ESPN, prompting an apology for the use of the wrong photo. Scott Van Pelt, the host of the segment, re-recorded the segment to rectify the mistake shortly after it was identified.
Understanding the Mistake
- The error arose from photo services that frequently misidentify athletes and coaches.
- Some images of Myles Price were incorrectly categorized as images of Rondale Moore.
- This confusion is not uncommon within the fast-paced environment of media production.
Moore had limited gameplay with the Vikings, participating in only one game last season against the Texans, after suffering a season-ending injury. During that game, he wore the number 4 jersey, which later became associated with Myles Price after he took over the number following Moore’s injury.
Implications for Media Outlets
This incident highlights a significant concern regarding image sourcing in broadcasting. Photo services must improve their labeling accuracy to prevent such mistakes from recurring in the future. Ensuring accurate identification of sports figures is crucial, especially given that media outlets pay for these images.
In conclusion, while mistakes can occur in the fast-paced world of broadcast journalism, the need for accuracy in images is paramount. Following this incident, it is hoped that steps will be taken to enhance the reliability of photo services used by ESPN and other networks.
