ESPN risks all of its anti-woke progress by rehiring controversial host Stan Verrett

The perception in and around ESPN is that management has tried to distance itself from the divisive, political rhetoric that defined the network over the past decade. Executive vice president Burke Magnus has led the effort.

Magnus has elevated personalities who provide a more positive, fan-focused perspective on sports, from Pat McAfee and Peter Schrager to Josh Pate and Jason McCourty.

The network parted ways with several commentators and declined to renew the contracts of others...