Canadian-based cabler Rogers Sportsnet
on Wednesday fired on-air personality Damian Goddard for supporting a
hockey agent's right to oppose New York Rangers winger Sean Avery's
endorsement of gay marriage, the Toronto Star reported.
The 31-year-old Avery recorded
a video released on Saturday for the Human Rights Campaign's (HRC)
New Yorkers for Marriage Equality campaign. The
hockey player's endorsement prompted Todd Reynolds, who
represents several NHL players, to message on Twitter: “Very sad to
read Sean Avery's misguided support for same-gender 'marriage.'
Legal or not, it will always be wrong.”
“I completely and whole-heartedly
support Todd Reynolds and his support for the traditional and TRUE
meaning of marriage,” Goddard tweeted Tuesday to his 359 followers.
Minutes later, he messaged, “Reynolds
… Peter Vidmar … coming under the attack of the so-called liberal
left,” referring
to Vidmar's decision to step down as chef
de mission
for the 2012 U.S. Olympic team after it was brought to light that
he attended two anti-gay marriage rallies in 2008 and donated $2,000
in support of Proposition 8, California's gay marriage ban.
Sportsnet did not address the issue in
a statement announcing Goddard's release: “Mr. Goddard was a
freelance contractor and in recent weeks it had become clear that he
is not the right fit for our organization,” said Dave Rashford,
communications director for Sportsnet.
“[T]he silver lining to all of this?”
Goddard tweeted early on Friday. “I have a new friend in Todd
Reynolds. Have yet to meet him, but I love the dude. The man is a
pillar!”