After 13 seasons in the NBA, Shane Battier, a former player, felt that broadcasting was the next obvious step.
But after his time at ESPN, Battier recently admitted that it was the incorrect choice.
During a June 5 episode of the Pablo Torre Finds Out podcast, Battier was questioned about the moment in the league when he felt the most humiliated. In response, Battier said it began when the Miami Heat started benching him during games’ fourth quarter. Battier went on to say that he started to push people away as a result of his despair. These sentiments persisted throughout his time as a network broadcaster.
“Going to work for ESPN was a huge mistake,” Battier remarked. On TV, I was awful. You could likely find some Shane Battier lowlights on Awful Announcing. I didn’t care about it at all. Nothing.
Battier clarified that he was attempting to keep current in the basketball world and maintain a connection to a long-standing love.
During his playing days, Battier remarked, “I had a purpose every day and a scoreboard above me that told me where I was.” I cherished my teammates. I cherished being a member of a group. The money was excellent. I was a status symbol. All of these items were mine. These are things that people pursue in their careers, and I met all of the requirements. It is really frightening to wake up one day without the jersey, the locker room, or the reason for being there. I was afraid.
Things became worse. Eventually, Battier was confronted by his wife, who threatened to leave unless he got help.
“That awful year and going to ESPN and being awful at it didn’t help,” Battier added. My wife of 22 years, whom I had met in seventh school, said, “Look, Shane, I know you like optionality,” even though I had never attended therapy. Here are three choices: Here are the phone numbers for the Marriott, your lawyer, and this highly regarded life coach psychologist. “I’m a very smart man, and I’m going to choose door three,” I remarked to Heidi.
Battier seems to be in a lot better place now because of the therapy.
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