Jim Rome responds to David Stern interview

Feb 1, 2012; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Radio personality Jim Rome performs on his show at radio row prior to Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

Now that the aftermath of David Stern’s controversial inquiry, “Have you stopped beating your wife yet?” has somewhat subsided, Jim Rome responded to the interview by phone. In case you aren’t familiar with the situation, here’s the link to the audio.

“A lot of people don’t know that phrase, so they thought it was extremely out of line,” said Rome, who is married with two sons. “I understood it, I knew where he was going with it. I thought it was inappropriate because, what it is, it’s a rhetorical device to insinuate I asked him a loaded question. I don’t think my question to him was loaded. I thought it was a very simple and very direct question. I thought the blog Deadspin hit it perfectly. Had I asked the question, ‘When did you start fixing the draft lottery?’ that would have been a more appropriate response. It would have been a loaded question, but I don’t think my question was loaded.”

Rome went on to say that he was pretty shocked by Stern’s response considering the history they’ve had.

“I was shocked,” Rome said. “I really was stunned. He and I have a long history. I’ve interviewed him dozens of times probably, on radio and TV over the years. Sometimes the interviews are a little more contentious than others, depending on the line of questioning and the mood he’s in. “When I asked that question, I did not in any way expect that response. To be honest, I thought it was a softball question. It would have been an easy opportunity for him to address something that’s out there and that he would just summarily dismiss it out of hand. I had no idea he would get that upset. I was shocked by it.”

Via Albany Times Union