NHL condemns ‘insensitive, insulting’ comments made by Mike Milbury
98.5 The Sports Hub staff report
NHL on NBC analyst Mike Milbury took things a little too far on Thursday night in the eyes of his employer and the NHL.
Discussing the environment of the Toronto bubble during last night’s Capitals-Islanders contest, analyst Brian Boucher remarked that the bubble was a perfect place for those who like being around their team, and called it a ‘terrific’ place for those who like to focus on hockey. And Milbury took it from there.
“Not even any women here to disrupt your concentration,” Milbury replied.
It’s 2020, and yet... 🤯 pic.twitter.com/d74TMlhkkP
— Alison (@AlisonL) August 21, 2020
That comment did not go over well with the NHL, who condemned comments made by the 68-year-old in a statement Friday.
“The National Hockey League condemns the insensitive and insulting comment that Mike Milbury made during last night’s broadcast and we have communicated our feelings to NBC,” the league’s statement read. “The comment did not reflect the NHL’s values and commitment to making our game more inclusive and welcoming to all.”
In a statement of their own, NBC Sports said they were ‘disappointed’ with Milbury’s comments, while Milbury offered an apology for his slip-up.
“I sincerely apologize for making the comment,” Milbury said in a statement released by NBC Sports. “It was not my intention to disrespect anyone. I was trying to be irreverent and took it a step too far. It was a regrettable mistake that I take seriously.”
But Milbury’s apology wasn’t enough to keep him in the booth for Friday’s Game 6 between the Flyers and Canadiens, according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
From an NBC Sports spokesperson: "Mike Milbury is not working tonight. We will announce our commentary teams for this weekend’s games tomorrow morning."
— Emily Kaplan (@emilymkaplan) August 21, 2020
Milbury, who spent his 754-game playing career with the Bruins before embarking on a coaching and front office career with stops in Boston and New York, has been a member of the NHL on NBC’s hockey team since 2008.
Click here for 98.5 The Sports Hub’s complete coverage of the 2020 Stanley Cup Playoffs.