Raiders Want ESPN Retraction

The Raiders are demanding a retraction from ESPN for its report that Coach Art Shell used a racist remark in a sideline argument with quarterback Jeff Hostetler at Miami on Oct. 16.

“The Raider organization and Coach Art Shell are greatly disturbed,” said Amy Trask, who handles legal affairs for the club, “and we have demanded a retraction as we are entitled to under the law.”

Copies of the letter were sent to ESPN, Capital Cities, the parent company, and ABC, another Capital Cities property. An ESPN spokesman confirmed receiving the letter but refused further comment.

Two days after the ESPN report, The Times reported that three independent sources verified that Shell derisively compared Hostetler to former Raider quarterback Jay Schroeder.