Bob Costas is none too pleased with ESPN's decision to honor Caitlyn Jenner with the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at this year's ESPYs.
Calling into The Dan Patrick Show Tuesday, Costas said, "I'm hoping not be misunderstood," when it came time to express his opinion about Jenner's award, but continued to criticize the network's decision to bestow her with the honorable award. He made sure not to go after Jenner's transition.
(With the release of her Vanity Fair cover on June 1, Caitlyn has chosen to publicly identify as a woman and E! News will refer to her using female pronouns. In stories published prior to this date, Caitlyn was referred to as Bruce and male pronouns were used.)
"I wish Caitlyn all the happiness in the world and all the peace of mind in the world. However, it strikes me that awarding the Arthur Ashe award to Caitlyn Jenner is just a crass exploitation play. It's a tabloid play," the veteran sports broadcaster said on the radio show.
Costas said he felt ESPN could've selected someone much more involved in sports, but added that his opinion wasn't "anything against" Jenner.
"That's not to say that it doesn't take some measure of personal courage to do what Caitlyn Jenner has done, but I think that every year we look across the landscape of sports, and we find prominent people and kids in high school and amateur athletes who I think more closely fit the description of what they're looking for or should be looking for there," he added.
"And I think this is a play to pump up audience the way lots of things are put on television, to attract eyeballs, not because of the validity, but because of whatever the kind of gawker factor is."
Host Dan Patrick also weighed in, adding, "It felt a little too reality show, tabloid show, you know, all of a sudden let's just jump in with Caitlyn Jenner."
Costas added that he felt the sports network was giving into Jenner's reality TV presence.
"It feels like, let's buy in to the Keeping Up With the Kardashians culture that has overtaken a good part of the cultural landscape," he said. "That's a train that's left the station and you and I can't slow it down no matter how we feel about it."
When it was announced that Jenner would receive the award, ESPN released a statement that read:
"Bruce has received many accolades over the years for being one of the greatest Olympians of our time but The ESPYS are honored to celebrate Bruce becoming Caitlyn," said ESPYs executive producer Maura Mandt. "She has shown the courage to embrace a truth that had been hidden for years, and to embark on a journey that may not only give comfort to those facing similar circumstances, but can also help to educate people on the challenges that the transgender community faces."