A's broadcaster Glen Kuiper suspended after racial slur
Longtime Oakland Athletics play-by-play voice Glen Kuiper has been suspended indefinitely pending a full review for using a racial slur during Friday evening's television broadcast, an NBC Sports spokesperson said, according to Matt Kawahara of the San Francisco Chronicle.
"I could not be more sorry and horrified by what I said," Kuiper said in a statement through NBC Sports California, per Kawahara. "I hope you will accept my sincerest apologies."
During Friday's telecast from Kauffman Stadium against the Kansas City Royals, Kuiper used the racial slur when stating that he and fellow broadcast member Dallas Braden visited the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, which is located in Kansas City.
Kuiper apologized on air later in the game without getting into specifics:
Broadcaster Glen Kuiper opened the top of the sixth with an apology for something that he said earlier in the broadcast. No idea what that might have been. #Athletics #RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/EnAkn7oSaR
— Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) May 6, 2023
The 59-year-old is in his 17th season as the Athletics' play-by-play voice on television broadcasts. He's the younger brother of Duane Kuiper, the longtime play-by-play voice of the San Francisco Giants.
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum president Bob Kendrick issued a statement Saturday.
"I'm aware of the unfortunate slur made by Glen Kuiper. I welcomed Glen to the NLBM yesterday and know he was genuinely excited to be here," Kendrick said. "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 your hearts to do the same!"