Mis-Fired For 'Insensitive Comments' - FOX Sports Broadcaster Speaks Out

Mis-Fired For 'Insensitive Comments' - FOX Sports Broadcaster Speaks Out

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Emmy award-winning Sports Broadcaster Steve Lyons was fired by the FOX Network immediately following last Friday's American League Baseball Championship game. Lyons was accused and fired by FOX Sports for making a "racially insensitive" comment directed at his colleague, and since named new Chicago Cubs Manager, Lou Piniella during the live broadcast.

While Lyons' comments seemed to have dramatically offended network executives at FOX Sports, they didn't offend or even bother Piniella. In fact, Piniella came out strongly in defense of Lyons saying Tuesday: "Steve, there isn't a racist bone in his body. Not one. He was kidding with me, nothing more, nothing less. None of it was intended, believe me." Also publicly saying, "this broadcaster is not racist" and "called the firing of FOX baseball broadcaster Steve Lyons 'an unfortunate thing.'"

Lyons, who boasts a 26-year baseball career both as a player and as a broadcaster, regards his years at the FOX Network as an opportunity to continue to pursue his passion for sports. Lyons states, "I believe my sense of humor and personality are my strong suits along with my knowledge of the game, that's why I was hired and able to enjoy such a lengthy career." When asked about the racial comments of last Friday, Lyons states, "I feel that it is unfortunate that after 11 years with FOX that my career would come to such an abrupt end and also at the expense of my personal reputation. It seems as though my comments actually had to be critically scrutinized to really make a connection. However, I truly apologize to anybody that was offended by my conversation with Thom Brennanman and Lou Piniella. The origin and intent of the joke was about my missing wallet, not race. I did not intend to single out any particular race and in fact have many close Hispanic friends and a bi-racial grandson. It never crossed my mind, it is a ridiculous and far reaching conclusion."

The public seems to believe Lyons, as the usual firestorm in these matters has not materialized against him. In fact, it appears that the public and professionals alike are sympathetic to Lyons' unjust plight. Tuesday's Boston Herald stood strongly behind Lyons in an article titled, "Shame on FOX Frauds for Lyons Firing." As written, "At the time, it seemed Lyons was doing his job -- making jokes, cracking wise, trying to bring the locker room into the booth. He finished the game and went to dinner with Piniella, where they discussed the Espanol/wallet banter and agreed it was one of their better exchanges. If nothing else, Lyons had done what we thought was impossible: He got Piniella to loosen up and laugh on the air. Instead of a pink slip, they should have given him a raise."

Lyons asserts that he is not a media risk and is confident about his future in broadcasting. "I love the game and I love sharing my passion for the game with fellow sports enthusiasts. I will be back!" states Lyons. Adding, "I loved my opportunities at FOX for 11 years, I hope they could look at this again and re-instate my ability to work and most importantly, my long hard-earned reputation."

About Steve Lyons:

* Analyst on two-time Emmy winning FOX pre-game show
* Won an Emmy for Best Studio Analyst besting Howie Long, Terry Bradshaw,
Cris Collinsworth and Clark Kellogg
* Lyons was nominated three additional times for an Emmy for Best Studio
Analyst
* Has broadcasted over 1,000 Major League baseball games for FOX, FSN,
FOX Family, ESPN 2, The Los Angeles Dodgers, and The Arizona
Diamondbacks
* Lyons, 46, Played 13 years of professional baseball, eight in the Major
Leagues with the Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, Atlanta Braves and
Montreal Expos

Source: Steve Lyons

CONTACT: Sally Verdugt, +1-310-798-0253, sally@galleryc.com, for Steve
Lyons

NOTE TO EDITORS: Steve Lyons is available for phone/on-camera interviews and statements. Please contact Sally Verdugt at 310-798-0253 or sally@galleryc.com for press inquiries.

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