Ottawa Senators Podcast Parts Ways With Former Player Bobby Ryan
Former Senator Bobby Ryan made some negative remarks about women's sports on social media this week.
Jan 18, 2019; Raleigh, NC, USA; Ottawa Senators right wing Bobby Ryan (9) celebrates his second period goal against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports - Ottawa Senators Podcast Parts Ways With Former Player Bobby RyanFormer Ottawa Senator Bobby Ryan caused a bit of a stir on social media this week for some negative comments about women's sports and the fallout led to a split on Friday with the podcast he regularly appeared on.
So here's what happened.
On Monday of this week, Ryan replied on Twitter/X to analyst Meghan Chayka who had posted the following:
"Why does it seem like everyone is watching women's basketball??" Chaya asked. "Oh because EVERYONE is watching"
Ryan obviously didn't buy into the take that everyone is watching women's basketball or that many are true fans of it. He responded with the following, challenging Chayka to name seven female basketball players:
"Name 7 players. Not 1. Not 2…5-7. First and last names…go for it"
Ryan's reply led to many furious Twitter/X users leaping to women's basketball's defence and unloading some heavy personal criticism of the former NHL player. Ryan engaged with many of them, defending his stance, and was still trending on the platform five days after the original tweet.
The day after the original tweet, Ryan clearly became frustrated by the wave of pushback, doubling down with a dig at all women's sports.
"Guys. Holy Hell. Relax!!!! It's 8:43 and I want to go home and pretend like women's sports are a thing," Ryan wrote.
That note was eventually deleted, but not before it was screen grabbed by TSN's Chris Johnston.
Ryan then came back with a curious note about Johnston and an unidentified conflict of interest.
When the smoke had cleared from all the back and forth, Ryan and his podcast partners opted Friday to mutually part ways. The podcast is expected to continue with former TSN reporter Brent Wallace and former Sens defenceman Jason York.
It can safely be assumed that Ryan was primarily doing the podcast for fun. According to puckpedia.com, he's estimated to have made $83 million during his NHL career.
Ironically, the podcast was named after a Ryan tweet on his first day as an Ottawa Senator when he announced to fans, "I'm coming in hot, Ottawa!"