Oakland Athletics broadcaster Glen Kiuper apologizes for racist comment on broadcast
Time to Read: 3 minute
The California franchise condemned via statement the apparent slip with a racist overtone of the announcer Glen Kuiper during the game against the Kansas City Royals and announced that they are investigating the situation
An offhand comment surfaced on Friday night during the broadcast of the game between the Kansas City Royals and Oakland Athletics when the franchise's official announcer from California, Glen Kuiper, used the 'N' word and sketched what appeared to be an expression with a racist overtone, which went viral on social networks and generated strong repudiation.
The 59-year-old writer was trying to say “Negro Leagues Baseball Museum,” but used the term specifically to offend. Kuiper 's comment occurred during the first innings of the match and in full transmission with his teammate Dallas Braden, who seemed unaware of the situation.
The 39-year-old commentator kept his eyes closed, listening to Glen explain how they visited the Negro Leagues Museum and Arthur Bryant's barbecue.
For those asking why Glen Kuiper just made an on-air apology, here's why. pic.twitter.com/k1we7gf3GT
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) May 6, 2023
The media uproar generated by his intervention was such that in the same transmission, during the sixth episode, the announcer excused himself, claiming that he did not want to pronounce what he finally said. “A little earlier, on the show, I said something that didn't come out the way I wanted (…) I just wanted to apologize if it sounded different from what I meant. I just wanted to apologize for that,” he expressed.
I’m not sure what was said, but #Athletics TV Broadcaster Glen Kuiper opened the 6th-inning with an on-air apology. pic.twitter.com/AZQVL3kuJG
— Joe Hughes (@VegasJoeHughes) May 6, 2023
Consequences?
The gargantuan mistake could bring consequences to Kuiper and on social networks several fans are already asking for the announcer's departure, considering that this expression escaped him because it is surely part of his daily vocabulary.
The Oakland Athletics franchise came out with a statement on the matter in which they announced an investigation into the statement and condemned the words. At the moment no action has been taken towards the chronicler.
“The language used by Glen Kuiper during today's pregame broadcast is unacceptable. The Oakland A's do not approve of that language. We are working to address the situation,” read a tweet from the franchise's communications department.
The president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Bob Kendrick, also spoke about what happened and although he condemned the situation, he called for forgiveness of mistakes.
“I am aware of the unfortunate insult made by Glen Kuiper. I welcomed Glen to the NLBM yesterday and I know he was really excited to be here. The word is painful and has no place in our society. And while I don't claim to know Glen's heart, I do know that my heart is one of forgiveness. I hope you all find it in yourselves to do the same!” he wrote.
The narrator's slip is very similar to what happened with former Cincinnati Reds announcer Thom Brennama, when he used a homophobic expression without realizing that the broadcast microphone was still open. Coincidentally, that episode occurred in a game against the Kansas City Royals.
The game would end up winning the California team 8-12. Glen Kuiper is in his 20th season with the Oakland Athletics and has also covered NBC Sports California since 1992.