Following an investigation, the Oakland A’s fired on-air broadcaster Glen Kuiper after he used the N-word while on-air earlier this month.
Glen used the racial slur on May 5 while chatting with Dallas Braden about his visit to the Negro League Museum in Kansas City.
But, instead of saying “negro,” Glen used a racial slur.
Later in the game, Glen issued an apology and attempted to explain that he had said something that didn’t come out the way he intended.
Glen issued a second apology later that week and said, “I could not be more sorry and horrified by what I said. I hope you will accept my sincerest apologies.”
Glen Kuiper was initially suspended, but now he has been officially fired.
Glen released a statement reacting to his termination and continued to cop pleas over what he calls a “very unfortunate mispronunciation.”
Monday morning I was informed by an NBC executive that after a 20-year broadcasting career with the Oakland Athletics my contract was terminated, effective immediately.
The termination was due to an unintentional use of an offensive word on the air during the May 5 pregame show.
On that day, I chose to spend my personal time educating myself and learning more about MLB’s history by going to the Negro League Museum.
I spent nearly three hours there in an effort to better understand and more deeply appreciate the difficulties and social barriers African American players endured in MLB’s early years.
When the subject of the museum visit came up in the pregame show, I was excited and eager to share what I had done and seen that day.
In my excitement, I rushed through the word “negro” resulting in my very unfortunate mispronunciation.
I sincerely apologize to everyone who was hurt by this. It was a terrible but honest mispronunciation, and I take full responsibility.
Please know racism is in no way a part of me; it never has been it never will be. I appreciate the Negro League Museum president Bob Kendrick and Oakland A’s great Dave Stewart’s public support of me in light of this.
I am an honest, caring, kind, honorable, respectful husband and father who would never utter a disparaging word about anybody.
Those who know me best know this about me.
I wish the Oakland A’s and NBC Sports would have taken into consideration my 20-year career, my solid reputation, integrity, and character, but in this current environment traits like integrity and character are no longer considered.
I will always have a hard time understanding how one mistake in a 20-year broadcasting career is cause for termination, but I know something better is in my future.
I love the game of baseball and I love being a broadcaster, and I love the Bay Area community. I hope I will be remembered for that.
Thank you to all my family, friends, and great A’s fans that have shown their support.
Sincerely, Glen Kuiper
Wow. Imagine spending your personal time educating yourself about African Americans in the MLB only to “accidentally” use a racial slur a few hours later…
I am nearly five decades old and I have never mispronounced “negro” as the N-word.
NBC Bay Area also reported the decision to part ways with Glen was based on a variety of factors, including information uncovered in an internal review.
I’m interested to know what was discovered during the internal investigation.
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Source: NBC Bay Area, TMZ
