Ken Rudulph, long-time analyst for TVG and later FanDuel TV, tweeted the following open letter to the horse racing industry Aug. 21 addressing fan questions about his departure from the network. On May 15, TVG/FanDuel released a statement indicating Rudulph had been taken off the air for making what it called “disappointing comments online about the integrity of horse racing, as well as the safety and welfare of its participants.”
The thread below, which is reprinted with permission, is viewable on his Twitter profile here.
Three months ago, my 17-year career in horse racing with TVG and FanDuelTV came to an end. Here's how that happened.
For starters, everything that went down is all on ME. I wasn't done wrong, I didn't get a raw deal. A bunch of Twitter chatter didn't do me in.
I came back four years ago and I really thought I could have an impact on the culture of horse racing. That's the only way I could come back, if I felt I could make a difference. For the first 12 years I felt like a “token” and many people treated me that way. So when I came back I was determined to break out of that. I made my feelings known in podcasts and on social media.
Social media is where we got into trouble.
There will always be folks who attack you and ridicule you. I got tired of it and I responded in a very negative way. For context, during my nearly eight years doing news in Sacramento not ONE person attacked me on social media over my skills, knowledge, or ability on air. In horse racing it happened every day, whether I picked winners or not. It created an environment that was hostile, which led to me becoming hostile at all times. That hostility became overwhelming and made me difficult to deal with.
Everyone at work was very accommodating, they seemed to understand my pain. My boss, Kevin Grigsby, is a good dude and he supported me and helped to create a spot for me on air.
I appreciate everything that he did and tried to do. Bottom line for me is, I don't belong here in horse racing. They don't need me here in horse racing. I had a great time, made excellent money and it helped to solidify my career. It was time to go, and the tweet on May 15th basically wraps up my feelings on horse racing. With all of the issues and the stigma of having worked here and having to defend or explain the sport, it became impossible for me to continue “selling” the game that I had zero confidence in and zero faith in its future.
I don't want any horses or jockeys to get hurt or have any fatalities. I also didn't want to have to tap dance on air when crazy stuff happens on track and we have no answers for it.
My colleagues were invested in the industry with all of their hearts. I respect that. I can't really be a part of that.
I really appreciate the scores of messages and well wishes from so many of you. We had fun. We made history. We made great friends. We learned how to play a great game. We learned about ourselves. I wish you all nothing but love, success and happiness.
I truly hope the industry can find the right combination of oversight, transparency and accountability to continue moving forward. I am tied to the Kentucky Derby for the rest of my life so I will always play that race.
Until then, y'all be easy and have fun. Good luck & enjoy!!! Much love.
–Ken Rudulph
The post Rudulph: ‘I Don’t Belong Here In Horse Racing’ appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
