Some drama today ahead of tonight’s big fight in Las Vegas. CNN’s Rachel Nichols, ESPN’s Michelle Beadle, who was to report on the fight for HBO, and USA Today’s Martin Rogers all had their credentials pulled from covering the fight inside the MGM Grand, reportedly because of their coverage of Floyd Mayweather‘s domestic violence record.
An appeal went straight to the top of CBS Corp. and chairman Leslie Moonves, who helped make the fight happen. The Pacquiao-Mayweather welterweight championship bout is a production of Showtime Sports, a CBS Corp. network.
Moonves had the credentials reinstated, but even so, Nichols and Beadle have decided not to cover the fight.
No fight for me or @MichelleDBeadle. Mayweather's team told my producer the camp was blocking my credential. https://t.co/JTjjXadPp8
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 2, 2015
After hearing my credential was pulled, I went home. Told this morning that HBO was able to get it re-approved late last night.
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) May 2, 2015
That's it. All she wrote. I will now concentrate on Game 7. #GoSpursGo
— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) May 2, 2015