ESPN uses unnammed sources in Saints eavesdrop story

This just in: NFL season to be played with only 31 teams next year.

As if there wasn’t enough bad stuff flying around New Orleans, John Barr on ESPN’s Outside the Lines reported today that Saints general manager Mickey Loomis had the ability to eavesdrop on opponents from 2002-2004.

There’s a story and video on ESPN.com. From the story:

Sources familiar with Saints game-day operations told “Outside the Lines” that Loomis, who faces an eight-game suspension from the NFL for his role in the recent bounty scandal, had the ability to secretly listen for most of the 2002 season, his first as general manager of the Saints, and all of the 2003 and 2004 seasons. The sources spoke with “Outside the Lines” under the condition of anonymity because of fear of reprisals from members of the Saints organization.

The story could spark more debate about using unnamed sources. However, here’s the key point in my mind: Knowing how ESPN operates–or any elite news organization for the matter–they have to be excellent sources for ESPN to go forward with this kind of a blockbuster story. And note the plural here.

Barr’s story isn’t being attributed to one source. There are multiple sources who confirmed the allegation. That’s important.

Naturally, New Orleans has issued a vigorous denial. Barr and ESPN could find themselves under fire about the sources of their information.

Should be interesting to see where the story goes from here.