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

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!”