Glen Kuiper Releases Statement After Dismissal From NBC Sports California
On Monday, word came down from NBC Sports California that suspended broadcaster Glen Kuiper would not be returning to the booth. Following his dismissal, Kuiper issued the following statement:
"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 the unintentional use of an offensive word on air during the May 5 pregame show.
On that day, I chose to spend my personal time by 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 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 and 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"
If you are wondering what actually happened, here is a link that will take you to the video from that night.