A sports radio host based in Washington, D.C., named Don Geronimo (Michael Sorce) was dismissed from his position on Saturday following inappropriate comments he made about a female TV reporter covering the Washington Commanders.
During a broadcast on Thursday, Geronimo directed offensive remarks towards WUSA9 reporter Sharla McBride, referring to her as “Barbie” and implying that she might be a cheerleader. He made these remarks on air with co-host Crash Young. Later in the same broadcast, Geronimo brought up McBride again and made another inappropriate comment, prompting the Commanders to ban iHeartMedia, the parent company of WBIG Radio, from their training camp facilities.
The backlash against Geronimo’s remarks was severe, leading to the radio station’s decision to part ways with him after an internal review. iHeartMedia’s D.C. Region President, Aaron Hyland, emphasized that the comments did not align with the company’s core values, and they take such matters very seriously.
McBride expressed her hurt and embarrassment over the sexist and misogynistic comments, stating that she had never experienced such disrespect in her 17-year career as a journalist. She appreciated the swift response from the Commanders in handling the matter.
The new team owner, Josh Harris, and team president, Jason Wright, were deeply upset about the incident. The team spokesperson highlighted the importance of ensuring a safe and respectful workplace for everyone and commended the swift action taken by the Commanders in response to the inappropriate remarks.
Geronimo chose not to comment on the situation and instead mentioned that he is consulting with his advisers about his future options, including a proper reflection on the events that transpired.