There Are Calls For Fox Sports Announcer To Be Fired For 'Primate' Comment
12/16/2024 12:21 PM
There are growing calls for a Fox Sports commentator to be fired for her "primate" comment over the weekend.
Isa Guha, a cricket commentator for Fox Sports, referred to Indian star Jasprit Bumrah as a "primate." Guha made the comment during India's third Test against Australia on Sunday. She referred to the Indian fast bowler as the "most valuable primate."
"Well, he's the MVP, isn't he? Most valuable primate, Jasprit Bumrah. He is the one that's going to do all the talking for India, and why so much focus was on him in the buildup to this Test match, and whether he would be fit."
Guha has since apologized for the comment, which she received immediate backlash for.
"Yesterday in commentary I used a word that can be interpreted in a number of different ways," she said, according to The Guardian. "Firstly, I'd like to apologize for any offense caused. I set myself really high standards when it comes to empathy and respect for others and if you listen to the full transcript I only meant the highest praise for one of India's greatest players and someone that I admire greatly as well."
A very genuine apology from Isa Guha. pic.twitter.com/W97FCCEP93
— Dan News (@dannews) December 15, 2024
Still, despite the apology, she's facing growing calls to be fired.
"If this was a male... instant dismissal!" one fan wrote.
"If Isa was white and or a man, we all know she would have been fired immediately. It's unacceptable and double standards imo," one fan added.
"Not in this context, but Isa Guha is one of the most horrible commentators there is in the sport. She is biased, one-sided and doesn't even analyse the game properly. Coupled with a terrible voice," one fan added.
"Really? We're all expected to just let Isa Guha continue commentating with absolutely zero repercussions? Fascinated to see the shoe on the other foot," one fan added.
Former Team India head coach Ravi Shastri, however, is accepting the apology.
"Brave woman, to apologise on live television takes some steel. You heard it from the horse's mouth so as far as I am concerned, game's over. People are entitled to make mistakes, we are all human. In the heat of the moment, sometimes when you have the mic in your hand, things can happen. Let's move on," he said.
