Hockey Hall of Famer and broadcaster Jeremy Roenick will not return to NBC after his suspension in December. Roenick had held his position since 2010.
The broadcaster announced the news in a Twitter video in which he appears to read from a prepared statement. Roenick’s words, combined with the caption “What a Joke!”, suggest that he was dismissed by NBC earlier in the day, though there has been no official statement to that effect.
Video
What a Joke!! pic.twitter.com/Evis1XR2cD
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) February 12, 2020
“I’m very disappointed and angry today that I will not be returning to NBC,” Roenick said. “And though disappointed, I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my love, my passion, my knowledge of the game with millions of people, millions of fans, and for that I thank you.”
Roenick was suspended after making inappropriate comments about NBC Sports host NBC host Kathryn Tappen while on the podcast Spittin’ Chiclets.
“I play it off like we’re all going to bed together every night, the three of us,” Roenick said. “If it really came to fruition, that would really be good, but it’s never going to happen.”
Later, he said this about fellow NBC analyst Patrick Sharp.
“He is so beautiful, I’d have to think about it if he asked me,” Roenick said. “I wouldn’t say no right away.”
Tappen condemned Roenick’s comments a day after the company announced his suspension from TV.
“While Jeremy and I continue to be good friends, what he said was unacceptable, especially among workplace colleagues,” Tappen said. “I do not condone his comments.”
It’s unclear where Roenick will land next, but he promised to be back soon.
“Even though I’m leaving NBC, I will not be gone for long,” he said. “I’ll be back better and more motivated to bring you the best entertainment and the best that I have for the game of hockey.”
Headline photo: @Jeremy_Roenick
