The National Hockey League has condemned what it called “insensitive and insulting” comments that analyst Mike Milbury made about women during an NBC broadcast on Thursday night, according to ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
The league stated that they did not reflect the league’s “value and commitment to making our game more inclusive and welcoming to all.”
Milbury made the controversial comments when he and analyst Brian Boucher were discussing the benefits of the NHL’s playoff bubble during their broadcast of the New York Islanders win over the Washington Capitals, which eliminated the Caps from the playoffs.
“If you think about it, it’s a terrific environment with regard to — if you enjoy playing and enjoy being with your teammates for long periods of time, it’s a perfect place,” Boucher said.
“Not even any woman here to disrupt your concentration,” Milbury said in response.
The NHL called the comment “insensitive and insulting” and said it communicated its concern to NBC in an official statement issued on Friday.
Milbury, 68, who has made insensitive comments regarding women in the past that have gotten him in trouble, issued an apology on Friday.
“It was not my intention to disrespect anyone,” Milbury said in the statement. “I was trying to be irreverent and took it a step too far. It was a regrettable mistake that I take seriously.”
Through a spokesperson, NBC Sports said that it was disappointed with Milbury’s “insensitive comment” and would address it with him
