Sure, that’s their story now.

SPORTSbyBROOKS is reporting that ESPN never really liked that Craig James feller:

Multiple sources have indicated to SbB in recent days that ESPN was unlikely to retain James as an employee of the company after his contract expired in April.

How convenient.

Now there’s a part of me that doesn’t doubt the WWL might be trying to spin James’ departure in a favorable way.  No organization can be that blind to James’ unpopularity.  But even if he had a contract, it’s not like the network had to keep putting him on the air if it was really that dissatisfied with him.

The proof will be in the pudding if James’ Senate campaign goes nowhere and he seeks to return to the broadcast booth.  We’ll see how much ESPN really wanted a separation then.