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ESPN hires Abby Wambach

By Alex Butler
Abby Wambach holds the smartphone as U.S. President Barack Obama takes a "selfie" as he honors the U.S. Women's 2015 World Cup champion team at an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington DC on October 27, 2015. Obama said they "inspired millions of girls to dream bigger". Photo by Pat Benic/UPI
Abby Wambach holds the smartphone as U.S. President Barack Obama takes a "selfie" as he honors the U.S. Women's 2015 World Cup champion team at an event in the East Room of the White House in Washington DC on October 27, 2015. Obama said they "inspired millions of girls to dream bigger". Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo

BRISTOL, Conn., May 5 (UPI) -- Fresh off of firing Curt Schilling for an anti-transgender Facebook post, ESPN is hiring LGBT activist and USWNT legend Abby Wambach.

Wambach retired in October and will serve as an analyst and correspondent during the Rio Olympics and UEFA European Championships. She will also take part in ESPN Films and 'Outside the Lines,' according to ESPN.

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Wambach will also produce the "Fearless Conversation with Abby Wambach" podcast. ESPN made the hire despite Wambach a DUI arrest and charge last month, and her admission of past use of marijuana and cocaine.

"ESPN says @AbbyWambach is going to follow the path of Julie Foudy. Won't be soccer-specific. Wants to branch into reporting/commentating," Sports Illustrated's Richard Deitsch tweeted Wednesday.

Wambach helped lead the United States Women's Soccer Team to a gold medal in its second FIFA World Cup Title. She is the all-time leading scorer for the team with 184 career goals.

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"My soccer career has provided me with a lot of different experiences that brings more than Xs and Os to the table," Wambach told ESPN. "I'm excited to join ESPN and to have the opportunity to tell stories that transcend soccer."

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