• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, March 18, 2026

NBC Sports California Fires Glen Kuiper After On-Air Racial Slur

  • Kuiper had been in his 20th season calling Oakland A’s baseball games
  • He had been off the air since May 5 after he said a racial slur during an A’s broadcast
A's broadcaster Glen Kuiper has been fired after being suspended since May 6
Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

NBC Sports California has parted ways with Oakland Athletics play-by-play announcer Glen Kuiper about three weeks after he was taken off the air for saying a racial slur during a broadcast.

“Following an internal review, the decision has been made for NBC Sports California to end its relationship with Glen Kuiper, effective immediately,” the regional sports network said Monday in a statement. “We thank Glen for his dedication to Bay Area baseball over the years.”

Kuiper, 60, had been in his 20th season calling A’s games. During a broadcast on May 5, when the A’s were playing the Kansas City Royals, Kuiper said a racial slur after describing his visit to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. It is possible Kuiper intended to say “Negro” but mispronounced the word as a racial slur. 

“A little earlier in the show, I said something that didn’t come out quite the way I wanted it to,” Kuiper said during an on-air apology on May 5. “And I just wanted to apologize if it sounded different than I meant it to be said. And like I said, I just wanted to apologize for that.”

“I could not be more sorry and horrified by what I said. I hope you will accept my sincerest apologies,” he said one day after the incident.

Following that broadcast, the A’s called Kuiper’s language “unacceptable,” and NBC Sports California suspended him from the network amid an internal review of the incident. 

Bob Kendrick, president of the Negro League Baseball Museum, released a statement on May 6 following Kuiper’s visit to the museum and subsequent on-air slur. 

“I’m aware of the unfortunate slur made by Glen Kuiper. I welcomed Glen to the NLBM yesterday and know how he was genuinely excited to be here,” said Kendrick. “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!”

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 12, 2026; Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA; Lee Hodges plays his tee shot to the 17th hole during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship golf tournament.

Golf Channel Not Interested in PGA Tour Acquisition As Changes Loom

The PGA Tour acquiring Golf Channel has been discussed frequently.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Sep 28, 2025; Bethpage, New York, USA; Team USA's Bryson DeChambeau reacts after hitting his approach on the 15th hole during the singles on the final day of competition for the Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.

PGA of America Extends Ryder Cup Deal With NBC and Versant

The Ryder Cup will remain on NBC Sports and USA Sports through 2033.

U.S. Gold-Medal Game Draws 20.7M Viewers for NBC, a Morning Record

The gold-medal hockey game draws an NFL-like audience.

Kenny Albert Flooded With 483 Texts After His Golden Hockey Call

Messages from the likes of Gretzky, Torre, and Palin poured in nonstop.

Featured Today

Tight end Javery Mayberry adjusts his helmet during the first official day of practice on the Basha High School football field in Chandler on July 31, 2023.

AI College Recruiting Reels Aren’t Fooling Scouts

College coaches and recruiters are way ahead of cheating athletes.
March 7, 2026

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.
March 5, 2026

Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife

DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.
Fox News Logo
exclusive

Fox Corp. and Kalshi in Advanced Talks on Deal

The deal would include Fox News, but not Fox Sports.
Matt Barnes, Nick Swisher, and Eric Davis on All The Smoke.
exclusive
March 18, 2026

Matt Barnes and All The Smoke Launch Baseball Podcast

It’s the company’s latest expansion beyond basketball.
Oct 19, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) speaks with CBS Sports sideline reporter Tracy Wolfson after the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
opinion
March 18, 2026

Why CBS Should Embrace NFL Renegotiations

Despite the cost increase, a new deal could prove beneficial.
Sponsored

Paul Rabil: Why Owning a Team Is a 100x Bet

Paul Rabil shares how he left an established league to build PLL.
Cameron Young makes his birdie putt on the 17th green during the final round of The Players Championship at The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Sunday March 15, 2026. Cameron Young won with a score of -13 par.
March 17, 2026

NBC Draws Best Players Championship Viewership in 5 Years

Cam Young took home the $4.5 million prize at TPC Sawgrass.
March 17, 2026

World Baseball Classic TV Ratings Surge Ahead of Title Game

The semifinal win by the U.S. sets another event viewership record.
INDIAN WELLS, CA; MARCH 9, 2026 Tennis Channel's Chris Eubanks, Coco Vandeweghe, and Brad Gilbert broadcast an episode of Tennis Channel's “The Big T” podcast, including an interview with Joao Fonseca of Brazil from the Paradise Pavillion on Day 6 of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open
March 17, 2026

‘Meant to Be a Joke’: Eubanks Dishes on Vandeweghe Exchange

Eubanks signed a three-year deal with Tennis Channel announced last month.
ESPN announcer Dick Vitale with analyst Charles Barkley before the Indiana-Kentucky men's college basketball game at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky December 13, 2025.
March 17, 2026

How the Charles Barkley–Dick Vitale Pairing Came Together

Barkley and Vitale called Texas’s victory over NC State.