ESPN’s Parallel ‘Lines’

If the world of sports reflects the best and worst in us outside the arena, where can a fan or athlete look to for guidance? ESPN is the not-so-obvious answer.

“There are a lot of problems or issues in society that are exemplified in sports, and that’s what we’re trying to look at,” says Bob Ley, the host of ESPN’s “Outside the Lines.”

Since it first appeared in 1990, the acclaimed documentary series has tackled some of the prickliest issues surrounding today’s multimillion-dollar sports industry. Drug abuse, sexual harassment, racism and gambling are but a few of the controversial topics that have been explored by “Outside the Lines.” The program subverts the view that sports are found in the toy department of life, and that they don’t reflect a larger reality.

“Outside the Lines” is the only national TV sports program to concern itself mainly with the sociological dimensions of athletics. It is known for stirring healthy debate as well as causing some of those in and around sports to run for cover.

“We did a segment that was included in our program on coaching,” recalls Ley. “Everything was peaches and cream until this particular organization found out it was ‘Outside the Lines.’ The voice on the other end of the phone said, ‘Is that the show hosted by Bob Ley?’ When the producer setting up this particular interview said, ‘yes,’ the whole dynamic instantly changed. When that happens all of us at the show take a little perverse pride that we have that kind of recognition factor.”

In that program on coaching, Ley and his staff produced a segment on former University of Florida swim coach Mitch Ivey. They investigated allegations of sexual harassment involving Ivey and members of the women’s swim team and also looked into allegations predating his tenure at Florida. When the university found out about Ley’s piece, it mounted its own internal investigation. Administrators dismissed Ivey two days before the show aired.

“The shorthand out there is ‘Oh, “Outside the Lines” got a coach fired’,” states Ley. “But that’s not true. The University of Florida fired their coach. They asked their own questions when they learned of our investigation.”

The recipient of three sports Emmy Awards, “Outside the Lines” first appeared in 1990 with two shows. Now with a larger staff and viewership in place, the program’s producers have already aired four shows this year with as many as four more to follow before the end of the year.

For Ley, the challenge of creating “Outside the Lines” lies in picking interesting topics and then presenting them in an objective way that will make people think. Another key to developing a quality program is to bring a strong human element to it, he says.

“In terms of racism, you can commission a poll about how black athletes are perceived on campus by both blacks and whites,” offers Ley . “But when you see the pain and the frustration in a person’s voice when he says, ‘I’m a black accounting major and people are always asking me what sport I play,’ that says as much as the numbers will on a poll.”

The show “Outside the Lines” did on racism was the most personally gratifying, Ley says.And it also may have been the most difficult to produce since a number of people approached for interviews were reluctant to discuss the issue. That show included a provocative look at Marge Schott, the Cincinnati Reds owner who was suspended by baseball for making racially insensitive remarks. In the end, it proved to be one of “Outside the Line’s” more discussed shows. Ley says a woman at Columbia University even used it as a source for her master’s thesis. But is the average fan really that interested in the sociological issues surrounding sports?

“The guys who watches SportsCenter (ESPN’s popular news and highlights show) every night at 11:30 may not be the guys who make it a point to watch every single ‘Outside the Lines,’ ” says Ley. “But I’m certain that there’s a fair degree of crossover. I think we’ve been able to package these shows in a way so that people will see a Wayne Gretzky, Magic Johnson or Barry Bonds, who they would expect to see on the 11:30 show, now sitting there talking about (larger issues).

“Is ‘Outside the Lines’ going to draw NFL Prime Time (ESPN’s coverage of NFL football) numbers? No. It’s ludicrous to think that. Is it going to draw strong, healthy numbers that will give you a respectable audience? Yes.”

Ley admits that it’s tough for him to remain a fan when he’s reporting on the many issues that surround sports both on and off the playing field. On the other hand, he says, he’s gained a much greater appreciation for the qualities that athletes bring to the games they play.

“We did a show on winning and losing and you could see the absolute psychic hold winning has on people like Jim Kelly and Wayne Gretzky,” says Ley. “When you see that and you see the hurt on the faces of the Buffalo Bills players when they hear people--including people in the Oval Office--talk about them being a losing team, it gives you a greater understanding of how these are a lot more than just games.”

“Outside the Lines” will examine the issue of violence in sports Monday at 4:30 p.m. on ESPN. The show will repeat Saturday at 11 a.m.