#Hornets suspend announcer after ‘mistyped’ N-word tweet

The Charlotte Hornets indefinitely suspended a radio announcer who claimed he accidentally used a racial slur on social media.

John Focke said his use of the N-word was an unfortunate typo as he commented on the Utah Jazz-Denver Nuggets playoff series and the 1-on-1 battle between stars Donovan Mitchell and Jamal Murray.

“Shot making in his Jazz-[N-word] game is awesome! Murray and Mitchell going back and forth what a game!” his tweet said.

Focke, a first-year announcer and podcast host for the Hornets, apologized. He previously worked games for the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx.

“Earlier today I made a horrific error while attempting to tweet about the Denver-Utah game,” Focke, who is white, said in a subsequent social media message. “I don’t know how I mistyped, I had (and have) no intention of ever using that word. I take full responsibility for my actions. I have been sick to my stomach about it ever since. I’m truly sorry that this happened and I apologize to those I offended.”

The team released a statement that read: “The Charlotte Hornets are aware of the recent social media post by radio broadcaster John Focke. As an organization, we do not condone this type of language. John has been suspended indefinitely as we investigate the matter more closely.”

The Hornets were one of eight teams not invited to restart the NBA season in the bubble at the Disney World Wide World of Sports Complex.