Conflicting report emerges on Patrick Beverley ESPN appearance ban

Following Patrick Beverley’s interaction with an ESPN producer after Thursday’s game, a report from Front Office Sports said he had been banned from appearing on the network as a guest. Beverley has appeared on Get Up and First Take over the last few years.

However, a conflicting report emerged from Sports Business Journal’s Austin Karp.

Karp reported Beverley has not been banned from appearing on ESPN after the incident. After his Milwaukee Bucks’ season ended at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, he told respected producer Malinda Adams she couldn’t interview him during a postgame scrum because she didn’t subscribe to his podcast.

Adams posted on social media on Friday morning to share that Beverley called her to apologize and the Bucks organization also contacted her.

“I want to thank everyone for their kind words and support,” she said. “I am humbled. Patrick Beverley just called me and apologized. I appreciate it and accept it. The Bucks also reached out to apologize. I’ve been in news for over 40 years and kindness and grace always win.”

The postgame incident was just one part of an eventful night, to say the least, for Beverley. As the game was wrapping up, he threw a ball into the stands, and a Pacers fan threw it back at him. Beverley then fired it back again, hitting another fan in the head.

The Athletic reported the NBA is looking into the incidents, and Bucks head coach Doc Rivers said he spoke with Beverley about Thursday’s events.

“I did (speak with Beverley) right away because that’s not the Milwaukee way or the Bucks way,” Rivers said. “We’re better than that. Pat feels awful about that. He also understands emotionally – this is an emotional game and things happen – unfortunately, you’re judged immediately and he let the emotions get the better of him.

“So, I’m glad that he called (Adams). That didn’t come from us. We talked about things you just can’t do and so I’m glad that he called, because that call came from him, not us telling him to make that call.”

Beverley arrived in Milwaukee at the NBA Trade Deadline to try and help light a spark under a Bucks team that went through an up-and-down season. The franchise had high expectations after adding Damian Lillard to the mix alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo, but injury issues were among the challenges that ultimately send the Bucks home after a first-round exit.