Ines Sainz (PICTURES): Female Reporter "Wasn't Offended" by Treatment from New York Jets
NEW YORK (CBS/AP) Mexican sportscaster Ines Sainz told a Mexican television network that she wasn't offended by the New York Jets treatment during a practice on Saturday, reports CNN.
The former Miss Spain and reporter for Mexico's TV Azteca had footballs thrown in her direction by a Jets coach during practice while working on a story about quarterback Mark Sanchez. Players later called out to her in the team's locker room.
She told TV Azteca that though she was embarrassed, she didn't take it to heart and didn't realize it was going to become such a big deal, according to CNN.
"It was definitely a joking tone, very amicable," Sainz said in an interview with a colleague. "I wasn't offended."
On Sunday, NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said that the league and the Jets began looking into the situation when they were made aware of it Saturday night.
The Jets released a statement about the incident, saying that they "will continue to work with the League to gather the facts and take any appropriate steps necessary to maintain a respectful environment for the media."
Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum called Joanne Gerstner, a board member of the Association for Women in Sports Media, on Sunday to discuss the matter. The two organizations were working to schedule an educational and awareness session with the team, according to Jets spokesman Bruce Speight.
Speight added that he also addressed the situation at the team meeting Sunday in advance of New York's season opener against Baltimore on Monday night at the New Meadowlands Stadium.
The statement says owner Woody Johnson spoke to Sainz on Sunday to discuss the incident, and that he "stressed to Ines that he expects all members of the Jets organization to conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times."
