Radio Station's Move Is Bad News for Favre

Milwaukee station puts his appearances on hold as scandal over Mississippi funds unfolds
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 25, 2022 9:30 AM CDT
Scandal May Be Catching Up With Favre
NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre in a file photo.   (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)

Brett Favre is embroiled in a growing scandal involving the misuse of welfare funds in his native Mississippi, and it appears to be taking a tangible toll on his reputation. Front Office Sports reports that a radio station in Milwaukee has taken him off the air, at least temporarily. Good Karma Brands—which owns the station ESPN Milwaukee—did not specify a reason, but the station is the first media outlet to take action against Favre in the wake of the new allegations, per FOS. The move in Milwaukee is significant given that Favre is a living legend in Wisconsin because of his years as quarterback with the Green Bay Packers.

Favre has not been charged with a crime, but newly unearthed text messages suggest he played a role in diverting $5 million in Mississippi state funds—money that was supposed to have gone to the state's neediest—to his alma mater the University of Southern Mississippi for a volleyball arena, per USA Today. Favre's daughter plays the sport at the school. "If you were to pay me is there anyway the media can find out where it came from and how much?" Favre writes in one of the text messages to Nancy New, executive director of the Mississippi Community Education Center. He is assured the answer is no.

Favre has denied any impropriety, and it's unclear whether he will eventually face charges in the scandal. But one person who thinks Favre's reputation is permanently damaged is Jon Stewart. "This is diabolical in almost a cartoon villain sense," he says on his The Problem With Jon Stewart podcast. "You stole $5 million of money that had been dedicated to those who are suffering the most in your state, the state in which you're a hero." (Favre also allegedly got paid in state funds for speeches he never gave.)

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