Former Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis, who retired last month amid the Larry Nassar scandal, wrote to Spartan athletic department staffers this week that there “were inaccurate, incomplete and misleading statements made and then reported by ESPN,” in reference to the network’s Outside The Line investigation that allgeded mishandling of sexual assualt, gender bias and discrimination complaints.
Hollis’ email was obtained by MLive. The email did not specify what Hollis believed was inaccurate or misleading in ESPN’s report.
The former AD also reiterated that that he would “cooperate and be transparent with all investigations.” There are currently inquiries by the NCAA and the Michigan Attorney General’s office.
Interim Michigan State president John Engler previously called ESPN’s report “sensationalized.”
ESPN’s report questioned Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo’s role in a number of situations in which members of his program were accused of violence against women. Izzo has had limited comment on the situation.