NHL broadcaster Mike Milbury apologizes after facing criticism for making a sexist comment on air

• A former NHL player and coach and current announcer for NBC's coverage of the league is under fire for making a sexist comment on air.
• During Thursday's broadcast of the New York Islanders 2020 Stanley Cup Playoff game against the Washington Capitals, Mike Milbury said the players' isolated campus is beneficial because "not even any woman here to disrupt your concentration."
• Social media users criticized Milbury for the remarks, which they deemed both misogynistic and factually incorrect.
• The NHL came out with a statement condemning his "insensitive and insulting comment."
• The former Boston Bruin later apologized and said it was "not my intention to disrespect anyone."

For the second time in less than a week, a professional sports broadcaster finds themself in hot water.

Mike Milbury — a former NHL player and coach who has since worked as an announcer for "NHL on NBC" — is under fire for making a sexist comment on air during Thursday's broadcast of the New York Islanders 2020 Stanley Cup Playoff game against the Washington Capitals.

In response to co-host John Forslund calling the NHL bubble "a terrific environment" for players to enjoy time with their teammates and focus on the game, Milbury agreed and added: "Not even any woman here to disrupt your concentration."

A clip of their exchange began to circulate on social media late Thursday night into Friday. Many people criticized Milbury for implicitly objectifying women and incorrectly claiming that there are no women in the NHL bubble.

On Friday, the league came out with a statement condemning the broadcaster's "insensitive and insulting comment."

Milbury's employers at NBC Sports also called his remark "insensitive" in their own statment and claimed to "have addressed it" with the analyst. The former Boston Bruin added that "it was not my intention to disrespect anyone."

"I sincerely apologize for making the comment," Milbury said. "I was trying to be irreverent and took it a step too far. It was a regrettable mistake that I take seriously."

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