After serving a suspension from NBC Sports last December, the NHL legend announced that he will not be returning to the network.
What a Joke!! pic.twitter.com/Evis1XR2cD
— Jeremy Roenick (@Jeremy_Roenick) February 12, 2020
“I’m very disappointed and angry today I will not be returning to NBC,” Roenick said. “I’m also grateful that I’ve had the opportunity to share my love, my passion and my knowledge of the game with millions of people, millions of fans.” He also called the decision by NBC “a joke.” (RELATED: NHL Rookie Goalie Igor Shesterkin Accomplishes An Incredible Feat. Here’s What He Did)
Roenick joined the Spittin Chiclets podcast in mid-December, where he made sexual remarks about hockey broadcasters Kathryn Tappen, Patrick Sharp and Anson Carter. He joked about a trip to Portugal with his wife and Tappen, referencing her appearance and joking about a threesome. He then talked about Sharp’s appearance and said “I’d have to think about it if he asked me … I wouldn’t say no right away.”
He also compared his appearance to Sharp and Carter.
Statement from Kathryn Tappen on Jeremy Roenick: “While Jeremy and I continue to be good friends, what he said was unacceptable, especially among workplace colleagues. I do not condone his comments.”
— Stephen Whyno (@SWhyno) December 24, 2019
Following the suspension, Kathryn Tappen rebuked Roenick’s remarks saying “While Jeremy and I continue to be good friends, what he said was unacceptable, especially among workplace colleagues. I do not condone his comments.”
Roenick said that he would return as a hockey broadcaster and be “better and more motivated to bring you the best entertainment and the best that I have for the game of hockey.” Roenick played 20 NHL seasons with the Blackhawks, Coyotes, Flyers, Sharks, and Kings before moving into broadcast. He had been an analyst at NBC Sports since 2010.