North Carolina-based radio host Jasmyn Fritz (99.3 FM-Raleigh, 96.5 FM-Durham) tweeted a screenshot of creepy, harassing messages from Sports Illustrated Maven UNC (HeelsMaven) writer Brant Wilkerson-New on Wednesday morning.
In the tweet with the screenshot, Fritz wrote (without naming Wilkerson-New in the tweet and thread), “We cover the same team. And now we have an uncomfortable work environment. Stop sending these messages. Check your friends who send these messages. Check yourself if you send these messages.”
Among the messages from Wilkerson-New in the screenshot: “What’s the closest I can suck your tit,” “And grab your left asscheek,” and “Damn you’re fine.” Wilkerson-New then wrote the next morning, “Whoa holy fuck I was drunk.”
https://twitter.com/thegirlfritz/status/1213155791064223747
Fritz continued in the thread:
“I’m not protecting this person’s identity. I’m standing in my belief that only those who’ve done no wrong can judge him. I’ve said wrong and stupid things before. But please, boy who covers UNC, try me again. If you’re concerned about who to avoid, message me.”
“There’s zero accountability and no apology. He literally thinks it was okay because he was drunk.”
https://twitter.com/thegirlfritz/status/1213155792637038592
https://twitter.com/thegirlfritz/status/1213155794063114243
Marilyn Payne, a UNC basketball postgame live host and a writer for a For The Win, replied in the thread that she can confirm [Wilkerson-New] “is a repeat offender.”
No need for the third option, I can confirm it's a repeat offender.
— Marilyn Payne (@marilyn_payne) January 3, 2020
Wilkerson-New covered the Tar Heels’ practice and press conferences on Wednesday, before — several hours later — addressing the highly inappropriate messages he sent Fritz. Wilkerson-New tweeted, “I’ve let a lot of people down, and the first person who I owe an apology is @thegirlfritz. She didn’t deserve what I said. Now, it’s time to turn this into a positive change that I’ve needed to make for a very long time. I have a drinking problem, and it’s time to get help.”
Wilkerson-New attached two screenshots of a letter (“Dear Followers”), in which he said he is “deeply sorry to Jasmyn,” and called his actions “unacceptable” and “unfair to Jasmyn.” He also announced that he “will be stepping away from journalism for some time,” and said he’s “an alcoholic with a problem that [he] cannot control.”
I've let a lot of people down, and the first person who I owe an apology is @thegirlfritz. She didn't deserve what I said.
Now, it's time to turn this into a positive change that I've needed to make for a very long time. I have a drinking problem, and it's time to get help. pic.twitter.com/NnPXblUN3P
— Barnt (@barntwn) January 4, 2020
Don't feel bad for me. I created this problem for myself, and now I have to solve it before I waste the rest of my life apologizing to people who didn't deserve to end up on the wrong end of my blackout behavior.
— Barnt (@barntwn) January 4, 2020
I'm not asking for forgiveness, either. I haven't done anything to deserve it until I put in the work to understand why I've been medicating for so long and covering my issues with alcohol.
I need to treat everyone around me better. I'm ashamed beyond explanation.
— Barnt (@barntwn) January 4, 2020
Wilkerson-New spent three years covering ACC sports at Greensboro, NC newspaper The News & Record before joining Maven.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.