A broadcaster for a girls basketball game in the Oklahoma girls was caught during the broadcast and called girls from one of the teams a racial uproar while kneeling during the national anthem.
In a video shared on Twitter, it does not appear that the broadcasters realize that their microphone is working. While Norman High School students are kneeling, one asks, “Are they kneeling?”
“I’m hoping Norman gets their a – kick,” a broadcaster continued. “F —— n ——.”
Nick Migliorino, superintendent of Norman Public Schools, said in a statement that the National Federation of High School (NFHS) Network broadcasters have been contracted by Oklahoma Secondary School Activity Association (OSSAA) for the state tournament against Midwest City High School.
An NFHS statement sent to NBC News by OSSAA’s sports information director said the network was “getting sick of the comments.”
“The thoughts expressed do not in any way represent the NFHS network and we are outraged that they have found their way to our production,” the statement said. “The NFHS network strongly condemns racism, hatred and discrimination, and there is no room for this in high school sports or anywhere.”
NFHS apologized to the students and their families, adding that the incident was being investigated and that the broadcasters “would have no relationship with the NFHS network.”
Migliorino’s statement reads that district officials “condemn and will not tolerate the disgusting words and attitudes of these broadcasters.”
“This type of hate speech has no place in our society and we are furious that it will be directed at anyone and especially at our students,” Migliorino said. “We fully support our students’ right to freedom of expression, and our immediate focus is to support these girls and their coaches and families, especially our black students and coaching staff.”
He said Norman Public Schools would no longer use the NFHS network, but rather SportsTalk Media, “as we have full confidence in their proven ability to support our student athletes with respect.”
Rick Cobb, superintendent of the Midwest City High School District, said he hopes OSSAA will not use NFHS for the rest of the tournament and will review “any future contracts for the broadcasting of school activities in our state.”
“Language of this nature is an insult to the lessons we learn and the world we all want to live in,” said Cobb, the superintendent of the Mid-Del School District.
