Oakland Athletics broadcaster Glen Kuiper suspended over on-air blunder

A long-time MLB commentator has been suspended after a horrible on-air remark that left viewers absolutely rattled.

A’s broadcaster Glen Kuiper made a horrendous on-air mistake. Pic: NBC Sports

Oakland Athletics play-by-play broadcaster Glen Kuiper has been suspended after uttering a racial slur in a slip up on-air during Friday night’s Major League Baseball game against the Kansas City Royals.

During the pregame coverage, Kuiper along with broadcast partner Dallas Braden, told the audience what the pair did in Kansas City prior to the game.

That included a visit to the city’s Negro League Museum, which Kuiper appeared to trip over and used a racial-slur instead.

“A little bit earlier in the show, I said something, didn’t come out quite the way I wanted it to and I just wanted to apologise if it sounded different than I meant it to be said. I just wanted to apologise for that,” Kuiper said in the top of the sixth inning.

A’s broadcaster Glen Kuiper made a horrendous on-air mistake. Pic: NBC Sports

Shortly after the 12-8 A’s win, the organisation released a statement on Twitter condemning the former minor league player’s mistake and alerting that they will address the situation.

“The language used by Glen Kuiper during today’s pregame broadcast is unacceptable. The Oakland Athletics do not condone such language. We are working to address the situation,” the A’s said.

Kuiper doubled down on his apology in a statement released by NBC on Saturday.

“I could not be more sorry and horrified by what I said,” Kuiper said. “I hope you will accept my sincerest apologies.”

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#RootedInOaklandpic.twitter.com/EnAkn7oSaR

— Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) May 6, 2023

The president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, Bob Kendrick, also released a statement about the incident.

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

The incident sparked comparison of Kuiper’s apparent slip-up to Thom Brennaman’s situation in 2020, in which the former Cincinnati Reds broadcaster was caught on hot mic while intentionally saying a homophobic slur.

Also taking place in Kansas City, Brennaman said “One of the f-g capitals of the world,” on the Fox Sports Ohio TV broadcast and was quickly suspended by the team.

Kuiper is the brother of Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper, has been a part of the A’s broadcast team since 2006.

- This article first appeared on the New York Post and was republished with permission.

Originally published as Oakland Athletics broadcaster Glen Kuiper suspended over on-air blunder