• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, December 19, 2007

ESPN has pulled a promotional spot starring Roger Clemens touting a network-affiliated event at Disney World in the wake of accusations that the baseball star repeatedly used steroids.

The network stopped airing the humorous spot promoting "ESPN The Weekend" last Thursday--the day the Mitchell Report that accused Clemens of using performance-enhancing drugs was released.

Clemens is scheduled to appear and serve as a "host" of the February event, where ESPN broadcasts live from the Disney theme park and offers other experiences.

"Given he's a part of an ongoing major news story of a controversial nature, we thought it was the appropriate thing to do at this time," ESPN representative Josh Krulewitz said Tuesday.

In what ESPN deemed an "oversight," the spot continued to air Monday during live events streamed on broadband site ESPN 360. Krulewitz said it will be pulled there as soon as possible.

"It was always our intention to have all of our outlets handle it the same way," he said.

Krulewitz, however, said there are no plans to remove Clemens' photo from the "ESPN The Weekend" promotional Web site, where he is seen with his arm around a Disney character. And he said the network has not spoken with Clemens or his representatives about whether the pitcher will appear at Disney World during the Feb. 29-March 2 weekend, where Clemens and football star Donovan McNabb are to serve as "athlete hosts."

"The event is 10 weeks away, and we haven't spoken to Roger or his representatives about appearing since the news broke--so it would be inappropriate to speculate," he said.

The 45-year-old Clemens is likely paid handsomely for his appearance both in the on-air promo and at the live event, although ESPN would not comment on any financial arrangement. There has been speculation that Clemens' inclusion in the Mitchell Report would hurt his value as an endorser.

Clemens issued a statement Tuesday fervently denying that he ever took steroids or human growth hormone, calling them "a dangerous and destructive shortcut that no athlete should ever take."

A spokesman for Clemens' attorney, Joe Householder, declined comment on the ESPN relationship.

ESPN's Krulewitz said removal of the spot is not a reflection of any network opinion on potential drug use by Clemens, only a reaction to the "controversial nature" of the Mitchell Report. (He said, separately, the network has not made a decision on whether another player cited in the report who has admitted using human growth hormone, Fernando Vina, will continue as an ESPN commentator.)

"ESPN The Weekend" is sponsored by Dick's Sporting Goods, which is mentioned in the Clemens spot. The fourth-annual event is touted as a family vacation opportunity, placing it in contrast to the outcry about steroid use in baseball as setting a poor example for young people.

The spot began airing only in recent weeks, and was filmed in early November, meaning that ESPN was undeterred by speculation that Clemens had been a steroid user and could be cited in the report. Clemens was one of the most high-profile players accused in the lengthy Mitchell Report.

The 30-second spot begins with a close-up of the potential Hall of Fame member shown with a nervous expression as he wonders why he decided to take a ride on a Disney roller-coaster.

"Man, what was I thinking?" Clemens says. "I can't do this. I'm too old. I don't have what it takes anymore."

But then as the spot shifts to Clemens strapped in his seat next to his son, he gains confidence from his on-field accomplishments.

"I've got seven Cy Young Awards...struck out 20 in a game twice," he says. "I've won over 350 games."

The roller-coaster then whisks away and the remainder of the spot focuses on details of the "Weekend."