The firestorm that followed Charissa Thompson's rogue reporting revelation

NFL fans may not realize how valuable sideline reporters are during a game. They’re Johnny or Jill on the spot, giving fans injury updates as they come by them, which affect the product on the field, as well as gambling and fantasy football interests. However, former sideline reporter and current studio host Charissa Thompson shared uncomfortable methods she used in her old role.

Appearing on a 'Pardon My Take' podcast in November 2023, Thompson said that she used to make up sideline reports when she had difficulty getting a coach to speak with her.

She said that she would relay generic things that any coach might say in any game narrative, such as improving their execution on third down, playing more physically, and cutting down on penalties.

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This was not the first time Thompson stated that she fabricated sideline reports. On a podcast with current FOX Sports sideline reporter Erin Andrews, she said very much the same thing back in 2022.

That didn’t garner the type of coverage that her Pardon My Take admission did, but the fact that she said it twice publicly leads people to believe that Thompson really operated in this fashion. The Guardian and others looked into this slippery slope.

Thompson still interacts with former and current NFL players in her hosting jobs at Fox and on Amazon Prime, but she’s not an in-game sideline reporter anymore.

Since she’s not disseminating news live anymore, the two employers looked the other way and Thompson was not reprimanded. However, USA Today called for her firing after the admission.

As one might imagine, Thompson received a boatload of criticism for seemingly breaching the implicit trust that networks and fans are supposed to have in sideline reporters.

The NFL on-air personality apologized, and said that she never lied about anything during her time in broadcasting. Thompson also said she never directly attributed general commentary to a specific coach, according to CNN's coverage of her explanation.

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Considering that sideline reporting is often a stepping stone to better opportunities in sports media, many did not take kindly to Thompson’s smearing of the profession.

CBS sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson said this practice was “upsetting on so many levels.” ESPN college football reporter Molly McGrath worried about the loss of trust coaches can have if someone files a bogus sideline report.

The network didn’t issue an official statement regarding Thompson’s comments, but current Fox Sports sideline reporter Laura Okmin openly disagreed with her colleague.

Okmin spoke about the privilege sideline reporters have to be so close to the action, and any violation of the ethical duties that come with it cannot be tolerated. NBC News reported that Okmin was disappointed about the texts she received, asking if this behavior was commonplace.

The Echo News said that Thompson's comments hurt all female sportscasters, but also wrote that "a bad apple doesn't spoil the bunch."

When Thompson first made these comments in 2022, she was on a podcast with lead Fox sideline reporter Erin Andrews. During the segment, Andrews didn’t seem to have any major problem with Thompson’s revelation, and also admitted that she would engage in similar practices as noted by NBC Sports. Andrews' agent told the New York Times in November 2023 that she works very closely with players and coaches to ensure accurate reporting.

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Since she’s such an integral part of NFL coverage on two different platforms, Thompson’s security in both areas seems safe. However, the fact that she admitted to doing something uncouth without receiving punishment might leave the industry in a tricky position. Others might try to get away with it, but the risks involved might lead some to avoid going in that direction.