Longtime ESPN anchor Kenny Mayne, a familiar voice for years during the network's coverage of The Masters, has disclosed the reason he believes he is now permanently barred from the hallowed grounds of Augusta National Golf Club.
The Strict Broadcast Rules of Augusta National
Augusta National is renowned for its stringent control over broadcast terminology, mandating specific phrases such as referring to spectators as 'patrons' and describing the rough as the 'second cut'. The club rigorously enforces this lexicon to maintain its traditional image.
However, the institution also takes a firm stance against any remarks deemed inappropriate or crude. It is in this area that Mayne suspects he transgressed, leading to severe consequences from the club's executive leadership.
The Revelation on 'God Bless Football'
Mayne unveiled these details during a recent appearance on the podcast 'God Bless Football', hosted by his former ESPN colleague Jon 'Stugotz' Weiner. While the exact timing of the ban remains unclear, Mayne expressed strong conviction about its cause.
'I'm banned for life from Augusta, I think,' Mayne stated when questioned about whether he ever had the opportunity to play the legendary course.
The Offending Joke About Women
The former ESPN star elaborated that a jest about introducing women to The Masters is what he believes resulted in his lifetime prohibition from Augusta National. For the majority of its history, Augusta National did not permit female members, a policy that only changed in 2012.
'I used to cover golf, I used to do the TPC Sawgrass, and I did the U.S. Open every year for, I don't know, seven or eight years. It was me, Van Pelt, Andy North, the whole gang,' Mayne recounted.
'At TPC one year, I just made some smartass comment about, "We'll see you at the Masters, where we bring four saucy ladies out to play!" Or, you know, just something stupid, right? But mentioning that I'm bringing women to play golf.'
Immediate Reaction from Augusta National
According to Mayne, the club's response was swift and direct. 'And [Augusta National] called into the ESPN truck, like we're still on the air, and the people in Augusta are literally, they somehow have the inside number to the truck. And they were like, "He is not coming!" So I was never invited to go by my lords.'
Historical Context of Augusta's Membership Policy
Augusta National's longstanding men-only membership policy frequently attracted criticism from women's rights advocates over the decades. The club famously maintained this exclusionary stance until 2012, when it admitted former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and financier Darla Moore as its first female members.
This historical backdrop underscores why Mayne's joke, though intended humorously, likely struck a particularly sensitive nerve with the club's traditionally conservative leadership.
Mayne's Departure from ESPN
Kenny Mayne concluded his twenty-seven-year tenure with ESPN in May 2021. Reports at the time indicated that the network proposed a salary reduction exceeding sixty percent, which Mayne ultimately declined, leading to his exit from the company.
This incident highlights the intense scrutiny and high standards imposed by Augusta National on broadcasters, where even a fleeting, humorous comment can have lasting professional repercussions.
