The NHL condemned the so-called “insensitive and offensive” comments analyst Mike Milbury made about women during an NBC broadcast Thursday night, saying they did not reflect the “value and dedication of the league to making our game more inclusive and for all to make it more welcome “.
Milbury and analyst Brian Boucher discussed the benefits of the NHL’s playoff bubble while broadcasting the islanders’ victory over the capital cities.
“If you think about it, it’s a great environment in terms of – if you love to play and be with your teammates for a long time, this is a perfect place,” said Boucher.
“Not even a woman here to disturb your concentration,” replied Milbury.
In a statement, the NHL called the comment “insensitive and offensive” and shared its concern with NBC, the league’s US TV rights partner.
In a statement released by NBC Sports, Milbury apologized for the comment on Friday.
“It was not my intention to respect anyone,” said Milbury in the statement. “I tried to be disrespectful and went a step too far. It was an unfortunate mistake that I take seriously.”
NBC Sports said through a spokesman that it was disappointed with Milbury’s “insensitive comment” and would approach him with him.
This is not the first time 68-year-old Milbury has been reported for insensitive comments on women on broadcasts. In 2012, he said penguin trainer Dan Bylsma should have “taken off his skirt and gone” during an in-game fight. In 2011, Milbury referred to Canucks players Daniel and Henrik Sedin as “Thelma and Louise”.
“He made a bad comment about us and called us women,” said Daniel Sedin at the time. “I don’t know how he looks at women. I would be pretty mad if I were a woman.”
.
