Oakland A's broadcaster Glen Kuiper speaks out after being fired for racial slur
Hours after NBC Sports California fired Glen Kuiper for using a racial slur in a broadcast, the long-time Bay Area announcer issued an apology with some context.
The initial comment came on air, May 5, during pre-game between the MLB’s Oakland A’s and Kansas City Royals. Kuiper was discussing a three-hour tour he’d enjoyed earlier in the day at the Negro League Baseball Museums.
“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,” Glen Kuiper said in a statement.
“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.
Glen Kuiper continued: “In my excitement, I rushed through 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.”
Kuiper shared his statement via a Twitter account for Matthew Keys, a fellow northern California journalist.
Glen Kuiper says he wished for another outcome from NBC
Glen Kuiper had worked for NBC Sports California for two decades. And he bought up his years of service in the statement. He added:
“I wish the Oakland A’s and NBC Sports would have taken into consideration my 20-year career, my solid reputation, integrity and character,” Kuiper said. “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.”
Glem Kuiper first started working Oakland A’s broadcasts in 2004. He became the lead announcer two years later. NBC Sports California immediately suspended Kuiper, although Kuiper apologized on air.