NBC Fires Glen Kuiper For Saying ‘N-Word’ On Live Television, Broadcaster Claims It Was A Slip

Oakland Athletics play-by-play broadcaster Glen Kuiper was fired by NBC Sports California two weeks after saying the n-word during a live broadcast.

The 60-year-old broadcaster and former minor league player was describing a trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri, during a pregame segment ahead of the Oakland A’s versus the Kansas City Royals game on May 5, when he seemingly mispronounced the word “negro” and said that the racial slur instead.

“A little bit earlier in the show, I said something, didn’t come out quite the way I wanted it to and I just wanted to apologize if it sounded different than I meant it to be said. I just wanted to apologize for that,” Kuiper said later in the game.

Despite his apology, NBC quickly suspended the broadcaster after the game. The Oakland A’s were also quick to release a statement condemning Kuiper’s use of the racial slur. “The language used by Glen Kuiper during today’s pregame broadcast is unacceptable.” The A’s communications department tweeted. “The Oakland Athletics do not condone such language. We are working to address the situation.”

After two weeks, NBC Sports California released a press statement on Monday announcing Kuiper’s termination. “Following an internal review, the decision has been made for NBC Sports California to end its relationship with Glen Kuiper, effective immediately,” the network said in a statement. “We thank Glen for his dedication to Bay Area baseball over the years.”