Kuiper fired as Oakland A's broadcaster after on-air slur
Play-by-play TV announcer was speaking about Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
Longtime play-by-play announcer Glen Kuiper was fired Monday, 17 days after using a racial epithet on the air leading into an A's broadcast on May 5 in Kansas City.
The news came from a statement issued by a spokesperson from NBC Sports California:
“Following an internal review, the decision has been made for NBC Sports California to end its relationship with Glen Kuiper, effective immediately. We thank Glen for his dedication to Bay Area baseball over the years.”
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, the decision was based on a variety of factors, including information uncovered in the internal review.
Kuiper, 60, was suspended May 6, one day after using the epithet in place of the word “negro” in reference to what he called a “phenomenal” visit along with broadcast partner Dallas Braden to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, where the A's were visiting the Royals.
During the sixth inning of the May 5 broadcast, Kuiper issued an on-air apology without specifically referring to what he said.
“A little bit earlier in the show, I said something, didn't come out quite the way I wanted it to,” Kuiper said. “And I just wanted to apologize if it sounded different than what I meant it to be said. And like I said, I just wanted to apologize for that.”
The Athletics responded with a statement denouncing Kuiper's comment, with no reference to whether they believed it to be intentional or a misstatement.
“The language used by Glen Kuiper during today's pregame broadcast is unacceptable. The Oakland Athletics do not condone such language. We are working to address the situation.”
The following day, NBC Sports California, which employs Kuiper, confirmed the suspension to media outlets without making a statement. Kuiper followed with an apology issued through the network.
“I could not be more sorry and horrified by what I said,” Kuiper said in the statement. “I hope you will accept my sincerest apologies.”
The incident went viral on social media, eliciting strong opinions both in defense of Kuiper as well as calling for his dismissal.
Kuiper is the younger brother of Giants analyst and former big leaguer Duane Kuiper and Giants radio producer Jeff Kuiper.
Bob Kendrick, the president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, addressed the incident on Twitter.
“I welcomed Glen to the NLBM yesterday and know he was genuinely excited to be here,” Kendrick tweeted. “The word is painful and has no place in our society. And while I don't pretend to know Glen's heart I do know that my heart is one of forgiveness. I hope all of you will find it in yourselves to do the same!”
Former A's pitcher Dave Stewart, who works on NBC California broadcasts, followed Kendrick's tweet with one of his own:
“I know Glen, have worked with him over the years. I believe it was an unfortunate mistake. He, as we all deserve a second chance.”
Both Kendrick and Stewart are Black. Other Black sports voices weren't as forgiving. ESPN analyst Ryan Clark tweeted:
“Had to listen a few times! Can't be, Huh? His co-host didn't even flinch. They called it that all day. They just forgot they were being filmed this time. No shock, no nothing.”
NFL Network analyst Steve Wyche replied to Clark: “Rolled off the tongue with so much ease and familiarity that it wasn't shocking to either of them.”
Analyst Dallas Braden, sitting to the right of Kuiper at the time, responded days later to the perception that he didn't react in the moment to his broadcast partner's epithet. Braden said in a statement on social media he didn't initially realize what Kuiper had said, noting that producers are talking in their ear and preparing the broadcast team to move on to the next topic.
“The nuances of live television mean that sometimes we, as broadcasters, miss some of what you, our audience, see and hear,” Braden said on Twitter.
Braden expressed “support and encouragement to my broadcast partner as he furthers his work in understanding the impact and hurt resulting from his unfortunate mistake.”