Michael Rothstein
@mikerothstein.bsky.social
Reporter at ESPN. 1-time Emmy nominee
📍NYC/on a ✈️
When not at work, all about traveling, gluten free food, books, exploring and hitting golf balls into the woods often.
📍NYC/on a ✈️
When not at work, all about traveling, gluten free food, books, exploring and hitting golf balls into the woods often.
Pinned
Also hi! It’s nice to be back! Some things have changed since I was here last.
Still at ESPN but now I work in our investigative & enterprise unit, writing about issues in sports.
Have a tip? Let me know!
Still at ESPN but now I work in our investigative & enterprise unit, writing about issues in sports.
Have a tip? Let me know!
From the Skaggs-Angels trial, where a former teammate described secretive drug use & said Skaggs was responsible for his own actions the night of his death.
Morin says he, Skaggs secretive about drug use
Mike Morin, a former Angels teammate of Tyler Skaggs, testified Tuesday that he, Skaggs and the team employee who provided them with illicit pills, Eric Kay, were secretive about their drug use, and t...
www.espn.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:51 AM
From the Skaggs-Angels trial, where a former teammate described secretive drug use & said Skaggs was responsible for his own actions the night of his death.
From court today: Tyler Skaggs’ mother and wife testified Monday in their civil trial against the Angels, leading to emotional testimony & information about Skaggs’ 2013 issues with Percocet.
Skaggs' mom: Angels never asked about addiction
Debbie Hetman, the mother of Tyler Skaggs, said she didn't know whether her son informed the Angels of his drug addiction but added that she was never asked.
www.espn.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:44 AM
From court today: Tyler Skaggs’ mother and wife testified Monday in their civil trial against the Angels, leading to emotional testimony & information about Skaggs’ 2013 issues with Percocet.
An update on what’s been happening in the Skaggs family vs Angels trial:
In Skaggs court case, Angels' challenges mount
Contradictions and warning signs of employee's addiction seem to imperil team's case.
www.espn.com
November 16, 2025 at 12:29 PM
An update on what’s been happening in the Skaggs family vs Angels trial:
Kay's ex-wife: Saw pills passed on Angels' plane:
Kay's ex-wife: Saw pills passed on Angels' plane
The ex-wife of former Angels employee Eric Kay testified she saw players and team employees passing around pills on the team plane, and that the team was aware of his drug use.
www.espn.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Kay's ex-wife: Saw pills passed on Angels' plane:
Complaints around Virgnia University of Lynchburg's football program echo those exposed at another school in 2011
VUL's Newman keeps drawing complaints and controversy
Virginia coach proves to be a magnet for complaints and controversy
www.espn.com
October 23, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Complaints around Virgnia University of Lynchburg's football program echo those exposed at another school in 2011
Mike Trout testified in the Skaggs-Angels case today. Here’s what he said:
Trout: Was alerted to Kay's possible drug abuse
Mike Trout testified that he was alerted by a team employee to possible concerns about drug abuse by convicted ex-Angels communication director Eric Kay.
www.espn.com
October 22, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Mike Trout testified in the Skaggs-Angels case today. Here’s what he said:
From the first day of testimony during the Skaggs family wrongful death civil suit against the Los Angeles Angels:
Ex-Angels official searched Kay's desk for drugs
Tim Mead, the former head of communications for the Angels, admitted Wednesday to searching the desk of his former employee, Eric Kay, three times looking for potential illicit drugs or drug paraphern...
www.espn.com
October 16, 2025 at 2:11 PM
From the first day of testimony during the Skaggs family wrongful death civil suit against the Los Angeles Angels:
Reposted by Michael Rothstein
First story from the Tyler Skaggs-Angels civil trial in California, focused on vastly different views in opening statements.
Testimony scheduled to begin Wednesday.
Testimony scheduled to begin Wednesday.
Skaggs' lawyer: Angels to blame for fatal overdose
A lawyer for Tyler Skaggs' family argued the Angels should be held responsible for his drug overdose death while a team attorney said they were not aware of Skaggs' drug issues.
www.espn.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:37 AM
First story from the Tyler Skaggs-Angels civil trial in California, focused on vastly different views in opening statements.
Testimony scheduled to begin Wednesday.
Testimony scheduled to begin Wednesday.
First story from the Tyler Skaggs-Angels civil trial in California, focused on vastly different views in opening statements.
Testimony scheduled to begin Wednesday.
Testimony scheduled to begin Wednesday.
Skaggs' lawyer: Angels to blame for fatal overdose
A lawyer for Tyler Skaggs' family argued the Angels should be held responsible for his drug overdose death while a team attorney said they were not aware of Skaggs' drug issues.
www.espn.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:37 AM
First story from the Tyler Skaggs-Angels civil trial in California, focused on vastly different views in opening statements.
Testimony scheduled to begin Wednesday.
Testimony scheduled to begin Wednesday.
Some purely personal news (staying in the same job and everything) but I’m moving to NYC.
All about making new connections and re-establishing old ones so feel free to reach out.
Atlanta has been awesome to me — and it’ll always hold a specific place in my heart.
All about making new connections and re-establishing old ones so feel free to reach out.
Atlanta has been awesome to me — and it’ll always hold a specific place in my heart.
October 7, 2025 at 5:37 PM
Some purely personal news (staying in the same job and everything) but I’m moving to NYC.
All about making new connections and re-establishing old ones so feel free to reach out.
Atlanta has been awesome to me — and it’ll always hold a specific place in my heart.
All about making new connections and re-establishing old ones so feel free to reach out.
Atlanta has been awesome to me — and it’ll always hold a specific place in my heart.
NFL HQ building shooter diagnosed with CTE
NFL HQ building shooter diagnosed with CTE
Shane Tamura, who killed four people and then himself in a July shooting at the NFL HQ building, was posthumously diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, according to a statement from the New...
www.espn.com
September 26, 2025 at 6:51 PM
NFL HQ building shooter diagnosed with CTE
FBI reveals more Pete Rose gambling documents:
FBI reveals more Pete Rose gambling documents
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has released new documents relating to baseball great Pete Rose, his former bookie and the gambling scandal that led to Rose's previous ban from the sport and entry...
www.espn.com
August 29, 2025 at 6:19 PM
FBI reveals more Pete Rose gambling documents:
A year ago, Lamar Jackson challenged Troy Aikman’s attempt to use “EIGHT” in trademarks.
This week, he pulled his opposition:
This week, he pulled his opposition:
Lamar pulls challenge of Aikman No. 8 trademark
After more than a year, two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson has withdrawn his challenge to Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman's use of the No. 8 in trademarks Aikman and his company filed fo...
www.espn.com
August 13, 2025 at 3:50 PM
A year ago, Lamar Jackson challenged Troy Aikman’s attempt to use “EIGHT” in trademarks.
This week, he pulled his opposition:
This week, he pulled his opposition:
Reposted by Michael Rothstein
New on ESPN with Anthony Olivieri:
NYC gunman sought medical help for years before Monday’s shooting at NFL HQ building.
NYC gunman sought medical help for years before Monday’s shooting at NFL HQ building.
NYC gunman sought medical help before shooting
What we know about Shane Tamura, a Las Vegas casino worker who targeted NFL headquarters.
www.espn.com
August 3, 2025 at 12:23 PM
New on ESPN with Anthony Olivieri:
NYC gunman sought medical help for years before Monday’s shooting at NFL HQ building.
NYC gunman sought medical help for years before Monday’s shooting at NFL HQ building.
New on ESPN with Anthony Olivieri:
NYC gunman sought medical help for years before Monday’s shooting at NFL HQ building.
NYC gunman sought medical help for years before Monday’s shooting at NFL HQ building.
NYC gunman sought medical help before shooting
What we know about Shane Tamura, a Las Vegas casino worker who targeted NFL headquarters.
www.espn.com
August 3, 2025 at 12:23 PM
New on ESPN with Anthony Olivieri:
NYC gunman sought medical help for years before Monday’s shooting at NFL HQ building.
NYC gunman sought medical help for years before Monday’s shooting at NFL HQ building.
The attorney for Rick Ackley, the casino supervisor who transferred the gun to the NYC Park Avenue shooter, made a statement about how the shooter acquired the gun:
Lawyer: Vegas boss legally sold rifle to NY shooter
An attorney for the man who sold a rifle used in the Monday mass shooting in New York City said Thursday that the sale of the firearm to the gunman was done in compliance with state and federal law.
www.espn.com
August 1, 2025 at 3:52 AM
The attorney for Rick Ackley, the casino supervisor who transferred the gun to the NYC Park Avenue shooter, made a statement about how the shooter acquired the gun:
Trial date set for ex-Bama basketball player Darius Miles’ capital murder trial.
He’s alleged to have aided & abetted Michael Davis in the killing of Jamea Harris in 2023. Davis, who fired the gun, was found guilty in May.
He’s alleged to have aided & abetted Michael Davis in the killing of Jamea Harris in 2023. Davis, who fired the gun, was found guilty in May.
Ex-Bama player Miles has murder trial date set
Former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles is scheduled to stand trial for capital murder beginning Dec. 1 in Alabama Circuit Court, more than two years after he was arrested in connection with the...
www.espn.com
July 11, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Trial date set for ex-Bama basketball player Darius Miles’ capital murder trial.
He’s alleged to have aided & abetted Michael Davis in the killing of Jamea Harris in 2023. Davis, who fired the gun, was found guilty in May.
He’s alleged to have aided & abetted Michael Davis in the killing of Jamea Harris in 2023. Davis, who fired the gun, was found guilty in May.
An update here — Carolyn “Birdlady” Freeman, the Falcons superfan, did not show up for her court date Monday. She told her attorney she wouldn’t show last night.
The court placed a bench warrant out for her missing her appearance.
She previously pleaded not guilty for 1 count of theft by deception
The court placed a bench warrant out for her missing her appearance.
She previously pleaded not guilty for 1 count of theft by deception
After fizzled tailgates, Falcons superfan 'Birdlady' faces criminal charges
Clients say they paid for parties, but when the goods didn't arrive, some called law enforcers for help.
www.espn.com
July 7, 2025 at 2:47 PM
An update here — Carolyn “Birdlady” Freeman, the Falcons superfan, did not show up for her court date Monday. She told her attorney she wouldn’t show last night.
The court placed a bench warrant out for her missing her appearance.
She previously pleaded not guilty for 1 count of theft by deception
The court placed a bench warrant out for her missing her appearance.
She previously pleaded not guilty for 1 count of theft by deception
Hello New Orleans!
June 21, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Hello New Orleans!
Yearly Mets-Braves game of course means rain.
June 17, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Yearly Mets-Braves game of course means rain.
How the temporary pause in scheduling new student visa interviews is impacting college coaches & their athletes:
U.S. visa uncertainties put college rosters in a bind
College coaches and international athletes are stuck in an unnerving limbo, saying they're unsure how to plan for recent changes in U.S. student visa policy that could potentially wreak havoc on their...
www.espn.com
June 4, 2025 at 11:21 AM
How the temporary pause in scheduling new student visa interviews is impacting college coaches & their athletes:
Happy Eurovision semifinal day!
May 13, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Happy Eurovision semifinal day!
News story: Michael Davis, co-defendant of ex-Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, found guilty of capital murder in the 2023 killing of Jamea Harris.
Davis found guilty in Alabama capital murder case
Michael Lynn Davis, co-defendant of former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, on Friday was found guilty of capital murder by a Tuscaloosa County jury in the January 2023 death of Jamea Harris.
www.espn.com
May 10, 2025 at 1:01 AM
News story: Michael Davis, co-defendant of ex-Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, found guilty of capital murder in the 2023 killing of Jamea Harris.
Former Alabama star Brandon Miller testified Thursday in the Michael Davis capital murder trial — the first time he’s spoken at length about his recollections of that night.
He testified he was nearly shot as bullets went through his windshield.
That and more here 👇🏻
He testified he was nearly shot as bullets went through his windshield.
That and more here 👇🏻
Brandon Miller testifies he was nearly shot in '23
Brandon Miller testified Thursday that he was almost struck by bullets fired into his car during a January 2023 shooting that killed Jamea Harris near The Strip in Tuscaloosa.
www.espn.com
May 8, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Former Alabama star Brandon Miller testified Thursday in the Michael Davis capital murder trial — the first time he’s spoken at length about his recollections of that night.
He testified he was nearly shot as bullets went through his windshield.
That and more here 👇🏻
He testified he was nearly shot as bullets went through his windshield.
That and more here 👇🏻
Former Alabama guard Jaden Bradley, now at Arizona, testified Wednesday in the Michael Davis capital murder trial.
Davis is alleged to have killed Jamea Harris in Tuscaloosa in 2023.
Davis is alleged to have killed Jamea Harris in Tuscaloosa in 2023.
Ex-Bama player Bradley testifies in murder trial
Former Alabama guard Jaden Bradley testified Wednesday in the capital murder trial of Michael "Buzz" Davis, saying he heard gunshots but did not see who fired the gun on the night of Jan. 14, 2023 in ...
www.espn.com
May 8, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Former Alabama guard Jaden Bradley, now at Arizona, testified Wednesday in the Michael Davis capital murder trial.
Davis is alleged to have killed Jamea Harris in Tuscaloosa in 2023.
Davis is alleged to have killed Jamea Harris in Tuscaloosa in 2023.