ESPN's Jay Mariotti arrested by L.A. police [Updated]

ESPN personality and sports columnist Jay Mariotti was arrested overnight by Los Angeles police officers in the Pacific division.

He was booked on suspicion of a felony, but officials would not provide further details.

A source with knowledge of the case described it as a domestic disturbance charge involving his girlfriend. He was being held on $50,000 bail.

Mariotti is a well-known sports commentator who can be seen on the ESPN show "Around the Horn." He also writes for a sports website called Fanhouse.com. Known for his outspoken views, he used to write a sports column for the Denver Post and the Chicago Sun-Times.

Details of the arrest were not immediately available.

[Updated at 9:30 a.m.: LAPD sources said Mariotti allegedly got into an argument with his girlfriend at a club in Santa Monica.

The argument continued at the couple's apartment in Venice, where some type of physical altercation allegedly occurred. Police were called to the apartment, and Marioitti was arrested. He is currently being held at the 77th Street station.]

-- Andrew Blankstein

Comments

[Bush's fault...]

This can be traced to the Bush administration...

[Skiha]

He always seemed like a scumbag

[Shantu]

Not Mr. guilty until proven innocent. He is always saying people should be punished with no evidence, now lets see how he tries to dance around this.

[Scott Cooper]

Karma people! KARMA!!!!

[SteveO]

"Around the Horn" is a lot more entertaining when he's not in the lineup . . . not sure why ESPN doesn't realize this . . . hopefully now he'll be off the show, at least for a good while. . . (ESPN - hope u are reading all these comments. . . Mariotti is an irritating jerk, not some beloved personality, and ATH is better off without him).

[kingman]

All that will happen is he will go to jail for a few minutes, go yo court, given 60 days in La County Jail and the Sheriff to the Stars Lee Caca will release him in a day or so. Remember Lindsey and her pals, there are friends of the Sheriff

[Sports Betting Forum]

The most shocking thing in this story was that Mariotti had a girlfriend.

[Ty]

Aww he was my favorite on the around the horn.

[Ron Carlson]

What goes around comes around as the saying goes. Like Jay always says when athelics or coaches mess up they should be fired or released same should happen to him ESPN if they have any balls should fire him and Fanhouse to. I have never seen a sports writer be as negative as he is. He seems to never be happy with anyone or anything. I hope he disappears I wish people would stop watching that horrible show he's on with those other hack holier then thou writers. I quit wacthing about a year ago and don't miss it at all. I bet all his former co-workers at the suntimes are having a party about what happened.

[I laugh at Jesus]

Could not have happened to a better guy. Lets hope they "hang him" " he doesn't belong in this game" " he has let down his whole team" " he is a disgrace, and he will get off with an apology" " when will the public quit letting these guys apologize and forget about it" . Yep all of the quotes belong to his truly! I guess he will fit right in as an NFL commentator.

[dt]

What a Hypocrite...I wonder if Bill Plaschke broke this story after Jay called him in hopes Plaschke would drop a smooth 50k and bail him out of jail.

[Hank]

Nice to see the mob torch mentality is alive and well kicking media celebs when they're down. Same old thing. Getting old.

[JA Adande]

lol. this is incredibly awesome!

[Hank]

Times censors any post in support of Mariotti! Oy vey!

[Keith]

Yeah his girlfriend......her name is Woody Paige.

[Michael]

Whoa! He is going to catch a lot of flack for this...maybe even suspeneded or released from the show.

[Double Dee]

He has been such a proponent for anything fun when it comes to sports. Suspension to pro athletes for any issue that comes up. Let's see how he feels about the suspension he should get for this felony charge. Turn-about is a mother.

[mike]

dude was arrested in West Los Angeles.The PoPo took him to 77St.Div on the eastside.He must have made the PoPo made.

[JDUB]

WOW. I think Around the Horn should have athletes like Mike Tyson, Mike Vick, Tiger Woods on the show to discuss Mariotti's legal troubles. Heck they can even throw in a bonus Celeb (Chris Brown) as icing on the cake!!! Chickens coming home to roast or WHAT?!?!?! Talk to me!

[Roger Ebert]

Chicago can sleep better tonight with this good news.

[Jack]

Goodbye career. Hello Bubba

[willb3]

He went from the Windy City and Hj's to Venice Beach and a girlfriend to much so soon my friend...lol

Well he caught a break ATF is off the air next week...

[patrick]

Should be a great show Monday!

[Joseph]

Sorry to hear about Jay. I like him as a reporter. It's amazing how people become so common when they do what commoners do. 77 precinct is one of the worst in Los Angeles. It's been rebuilt but the personal are still very hard nose. It's located in South Central in a gang infested neighborhood. All the crips and bloods are housed there. There are no celebrity holding cells. I'd guess Jay's in with the population. I hope he bails.

[Eddie]

His girlfriend must have finally realized her boyfriend was a douche bag, so she started a fight, sad thing is she probably won!