Caitlyn Jenner Reps Asked For Courage Award, Threatened To Pull ’20/20′ Interview If Denied, Report Alleges

Caitlyn Jenner reps are finding themselves at the heart of some potentially troubling allegations today after a late Thursday report alleged they may have coerced ESPN into giving Cait the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs.

Now before you pick up the stones to start flinging them Jenner’s way, know that this information primarily comes from RadarOnline, a source that is known more as a tabloid than for legitimate news.

But after InTouch Weekly broke the Duggar molestation story and TMZ broke the Ray Rice spousal abuse scandal, you can’t just automatically ignore these things anymore.

The tabloid reportedly spoke to a source simply described as “an insider,” who alleged that the Caitlyn Jenner reps cut the deal with ESPN in exchange for PR plugs on her upcoming show I Am Cait, and that, at one point in the deal, they were ready to play hardball.

“There was a hiccup during the talks about Caitlyn receiving the award, and her reps were prepared to pull her interview with Diane Sawyer if she didn’t get it,” the source said, speaking of the revealing 20/20 interview in which Caitlyn Jenner (then going by the name of Bruce Jenner) came out as transgender. “It was ironed out, and ABC owns one of the biggest stories of the year,” the insider added.

The source claimed that negotiations for Jenner receiving the Arthur Ashe Courage Award first began before the Diane Sawyer interview was finalized.

ABC, the network where 20/20 airs, and ESPN are both owned by Disney.

Jenner’s agents “suggested that she receive the Arthur Ashe award” after approaching ESPN with the idea, the source said.

“It was a brilliant move because the executives at ESPN loved the idea, and immediately began making sure it got done. Caitlyn’s journey to accepting the award will also be featured on her upcoming reality show, I Am Cait.”

https://youtu.be/JSmzHosooM4

Unfortunately for Caitlyn, this isn’t the only potentially negative story circulating about her at the moment.

One of those involved in the fatal accident she was a part of prior to announcing her gender identity has criticized her for “not taking responsibility” for actions that the other participant says were Jenner’s responsibility.

The woman involved, Jessica Steindorff, had this to say.

“I find it difficult to understand how the culture we live in can honor a person who is responsible for taking a life and injuring several others with both an award and a reality show. For an individual who is such a positive role model in many aspects of her life, Caitlyn has failed to do the right thing and take responsibility for her actions. I would hope that someone who seems to greatly value the importance of human existence would be more sensitive to the fact that she ended another person’s life. Sadly we are living in a tabloid society.”

What do you think, readers? Did the Caitlyn Jenner reps negotiate her Courage Award win, and if so, do you think it cheapens the overall honor? Sound off in the comments section.

[Image via ESPY Awards Ceremony screen grab, linked above]