Host mistakes Gary Bettman for David Stern during memorial segment
The NBA continues to mourn the loss of former Commissioner David Stern, who passed away on Jan. 1 after suffering a brain hemorrhage in December that required emergency surgery. The 77-year-old was a titan of the industry and well respected by many, including current NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Bettman released a statement of grief after the passing of his “mentor and long-time friend” Stern through the NHL’s PR account. Stern held tenure for 30 years as NBA Commissioner, having an incredible impact within the sport and within the modern sports industry as a whole.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman statement after the passing of NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern. pic.twitter.com/NM2bXz0tJa
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) January 1, 2020
Unfortunately, during a post-game panel following the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens game the following night, Fox Sports Sun host Paul Kennedy was given a script to read live on air that mistakenly pronounced that Gary Bettman had died during the David Stern tribute.
Paul Kennedy apparently thinks Gary Bettman has passed away. Opens with it, then doubles down at the end. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/LtYr3KymqL
— Bolts Jolts (@BoltsJolts) January 3, 2020
A very unfortunate mishap on Fox Sports’ part, presumably from a teleprompter or graphics error since Kennedy covered the death of David Stern properly on another segment with retired NBA player Bo Outlaw a day earlier.
.@PaulKennedyFOX, Bo Outlaw and the @FOXSportsMagic team join the @OrlandoMagic and the rest of the @NBA in mourning the death of former commissioner David Stern, who died at the age of 77. pic.twitter.com/FhcGp2nGpH
— FOX Sports Florida & Sun (@FOXSportsFL) January 1, 2020
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