The litmus test should be "what would ESPN do if a white host made similar derogatory comments about Obama".  There is no doubt that they would be fired in a heartbeat regardless of the medium in which the comment was made.
This will not happen here because she is black and because ESPN is far left.
If not for ESPN, she would not have any national recognition.  So, ESPN cannot distance itself from her unless it fires her.
Also, ESPN offers an excuse on her behalf.  Clearly she is able to communicate her own thoughts without ESPN assistance, so why does ESPN now speak on her behalf, especially if it wants to distance itself from her as the misleading headline suggests?  
She is free to say what she wants; her remarks are predicable.  But given ESPN's intolerance for "non-left" commentary, it should apply the same standard, not the double standard by which it exists.
You don't need a "study" to figure this one out, ESPN.
And speaking of ratings, how is her show doing, after all?