Calipari says he was unaware ESPN halftime interview became a controversy

Kentucky men’s basketball Coach John Calipari didn’t seem aware Thursday that his halftime interview with ESPN’s Maria Taylor on Tuesday had drawn considerable attention on the internet and social media.

“Was it controversial?” Calipari questioned after a reporter asked when he became aware that the interview had generated a buzz. “What I did was I grabbed her arm. And if you know me, when I’m talking I don’t remember anything around me. And I started squeezing her arm when I was talking about rebounding and I forgot I was holding her arm. And that’s why I said ‘uh oh.’”

On Wednesday Taylor, the ESPN sideline reporter who interviewed Kentucky men’s basketball coach John Calipari at halftime Tuesday night, posted a video on Twitter on Wednesday to calm talk about what some described as an awkward interview.

The exchange generated some reactions on Twitter and began generating stories on the internet Wednesday. Some noted in light of the increased awareness of sexual harassment in recent months that Calipari’s contact seemed unneccessary and inappropriate.

Taylor, who has been an ESPN and SEC Network analyst, host and sideline reporter since 2014, said in her video that she felt she had to explain the situation after a number of outlets had written about it.

“Hey, everyone,” Taylor began. “So, I see that this whole Coach Cal grabbing my arm thing is taking off on the internet, but I just wanted to address it and say that I’ve known him since 2012. I love interviewing him. I love his passion. I love his passion for the game. I love the way that he coaches his teams. And I was not offended at all by him grabbing my arm. It was not an awkward moment.

“We laughed about it and went on about our business. So, I hope you can, too. But if you can’t and you’re writing a story I am not ‘the ESPN reporter.’ My name is Maria Taylor. Let’s go ahead and get it straight.”

As Calipari answered her questions Tuesday, he took hold of Taylor’s arm. Taylor appears to wince for a moment as Calipari continues. He then realizes her reaction and says, smiling “Do I have your arm really hard?”

Taylor responds, laughing, as well: “It’s really tight. ... I’m not your player.”

Tuesday night, Taylor tweeted about the exchange, saying “Just want everyone to know that my arm is totally fine ... and while I am not one of @UKCoachCalipari players I do love interviewing him!!”

Acknowledging the current controversy that tweet was in reponse to another tweet of hers from a few days ago. “Hey Ladies!! Feel free to let these dudes know your body was not put on this earth to please their taste.”

Calipari also dismissed any notion of the moment being awkward during his Thursday press conference.

“Maria and I are fine,” Calipari said. “But it became an issue? It’s kind of like anything I do becomes an issue, isn’t it.”

This story was originally published November 15, 2017 at 2:54 PM with the headline "Calipari says he was unaware ESPN halftime interview became a controversy."