ESPN.com apologizes for running front page story about cricket, claims website was hacked

Bristol, CT--The calls came pouring into the ESPN studios early this morning in record numbers. (No, there was no Brett Favre story.) So many, in fact, that the network's high-tech phone system was overwhelmed and had to be shut down for nearly three hours. They were calling regarding a front page story about cricket.

"Most people were calling in and asking, 'What is that guy holding on the ESPN website? It's certainly not a baseball bat.' Or, 'What is he looking at? Is he looking at a football in the air? If I click on it, will take me to my NCAA bracket?'" said Tamila Bauer, an ESPN call center representative. "They wanted to know if ESPN.com was sold to another planet or something. And they also wanted to know if this cricket was affiliated in any way with the cell phone company."

ESPN, the self-proclaimed Worldwide Leader in Sports, reported their popular website was hacked into just after 4 am eastern standard time.

"We apologize to all of our viewers and readers for the image and story that appeared on ESPN.com's front page early this morning," said Gary Arnet, head of the network's online content. "We take every precaution imaginable in an effort to prevent our computer systems from being compromised. Seriously, we have, like, all the firewall stuff. We are still unsure ourselves of what the image was, but it is unacceptable to our loyal followers. It is possible that the image was of an ice hockey player holding some sort of new stick."