One of the strangest NFL and sports media stories of the offseason is the saga surrounding ESPN analyst Matt Miller. What initially appeared to be a tragic accident has since raised serious questions surrounding Miller.
Miller has faced accusations of scamming multiple people out of fantasy football, raffle, and other winnings. Shortly after his GoFundMe page was posted, numerous social media users highlighted what they described as a concerning pattern.
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After the Missouri Attorney General’s Office opened an investigation into Miller, the GoFundMe was paused. Now, ESPN has reportedly placed Miller on leave. He addressed his recovery and his status with ESPN on social media.
“A quick update: The surgery to remove my left arm was successful with hopes of an eventual prosthetic replacement. Similarly, the femur and patella surgeries were also successful and the fantastic surgery team was able to save my left leg,” Miller said. “To best focus on my healing and recovery, I’m stepping away indefinitely and will be placed on leave from ESPN. Thank you to all for the prayers and thoughts; please keep them coming.”
There are a couple of notable points from Miller’s post. First, he did not address any of the accusations, nor has he done so since they emerged. Second, the wording surrounding his leave from ESPN stands out.
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Medical leave or administrative leave?
It is possible Miller is simply taking a medical leave, similar to an FMLA-style arrangement with ESPN. In a situation like this, he would likely have the right to prioritize his health and step away from work. However, the way he phrased his statement makes it sound more like ESPN made the decision to place him on leave.
The reality is likely a combination of both factors. Miller may need time away to recover medically, while ESPN may also want the opportunity to review the allegations and determine the appropriate next steps.
As of now, ESPN has not released a statement regarding Miller’s leave. Miller needs time to heal and should focus on his recovery. However, the allegations surrounding him do not appear likely to disappear anytime soon.
Depending on how the situation is resolved, the controversy could impact his eventual return to ESPN.
