Brennaman resigns as Reds broadcaster

September 25th, 2020

CINCINNATI -- Longtime Reds and Fox Sports Ohio broadcaster Thom Brennaman announced his resignation from his play-by-play job Friday. Brennaman confirmed the decision to MLB.com, about five weeks after his suspension for using a homophobic slur that was caught on a microphone during a game broadcast.

Reds CEO Bob Castellini released a statement about Brennaman on Friday afternoon:

“The Reds respect Thom Brennaman’s decision to step away from the broadcast booth and applaud his heartfelt efforts of reconciliation with the LGBTQ+ community,” Castellini said. “The Brennaman family has been an intrinsic part of the Reds history for nearly fifty years. We sincerely thank Thom for bringing the excitement of Reds baseball to millions of fans during his years in the booth. And, we appreciate the warm welcome Thom showed our fans at Redsfest and on the Reds Caravan. He is a fantastic talent and a good man who remains part of the Reds family forever. We wish him well.”

While calling Game 1 of an Aug. 19 Reds doubleheader vs. the Royals, Brennaman’s comment was heard by some viewers between the sixth and seventh innings just before he read a promotion for the postgame show.

Brennaman was pulled off the air during Game 2 of the doubleheader and apologized for his comment. He was immediately suspended indefinitely by the Reds and Fox Sports Ohio.

The son of legendary radio broadcaster Marty Brennaman, who retired after the 2019 season following 46 seasons with the club, Thom Brennaman has been calling Reds games for the past 14 seasons and has been working MLB games -- in local markets and nationally -- over the past 33 seasons overall.