Hornets broadcaster suspended for racial slur

He says use of N-word in tweet was unintentional

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte Hornets have indefinitely suspended radio play-by-play announcer John Focke after a tweet he sent Monday included the N-word.

“The Charlotte Hornets are aware of the recent social media post by radio broadcaster John Focke. As an organization, we do not condone this type of language,” the Hornets’ statement said via Twitter.

“John has been suspended indefinitely as we investigate the matter more closely.”

Focke, who just completed his first season with the Hornets, was tweeting about the Utah Jazz-Denver Nuggets playoff game Monday afternoon. The tweet included the N-word instead of “Nuggets.”

“Shot making in this Jazz-(Nword) game is awesome! Murray and Mitchell going back and forth what a game!” the tweet read.

Focke apologized on his Twitter account around 10 p.m. Monday night.

“Earlier today I made a horrific error while attempting to tweet about the Denver-Utah game,” Focke’s tweet read. “I don’t know how I mistyped, I had (and have) no intention of ever using that word.

“I take full responsibility for my actions. I have been sick to my stomach about it ever since. I’m truly sorry that this happened and I apologize to those I offended.”

Focke responded to a text from The Charlotte Observer on Monday night, saying he would not have additional comments for now.

Focke previously worked for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Lynx. In addition to serving as Hornets play-by-play announcer, he does a weekly podcast for the team’s website.

He replaced Chris Kroeger, who was unexpectedly dropped from the Hornets’ broadcast team in March of 2019, months after getting the job. The Hornets declined to discuss the reason for Kroeger’s departure. Longtime Hornets broadcaster Steve Martin, who retired after the 2017-18 season, filled in on radio the rest of that season before Focke was hired.