When did ESPN Hire Larry Johnson?

I don't remember David Stern adding an adjective to the the Memphis organization, but I guess the Grizzlies are now Gay bears. I always wondered why they chose teal blue for their main color. This explains a lot, but doesn't explain why Gooden's slur is a controversy and Memphis being the Gay Grizzlies isn't. You know what isn't a controversy, though? Handing out Care Bears to the first 30k attendees.