(Credit: Flickr, "Alan Levine")

The University of Iowa men’s basketball radio announcer Gary Dolphin called a black University of Maryland player, Bruno Fernando, “King Kong.”

Now, Dolphin is suspended from announcing basketball games (he can still announce football games), USA Today reported. iMediaEthics has contacted Learfield Sports, which suspended Dolphin. Learfield responded with this statement including an apology from Dolphin:

Hawkeye Sports Properties, the multimedia rights manager for University of Iowa Athletics, today announced it has suspended play-by-play announcer Gary Dolphin indefinitely through the remaining basketball season. The decision follows an inappropriate comment made by Dolphin during Tuesday’s broadcast of the Iowa men’s basketball game against Maryland. 

Gary Dolphin issued the following statement: “During the broadcast, I used a comparison when trying to describe a talented Maryland basketball player. In no way did I intend to offend or disparage the player. I take full responsibility for my inappropriate word choice and offer a sincere apology to him and anyone else who was offended. I wish the Iowa Hawkeye players, coaches and fans all the very best as they head into the final stretch of the season. I will use this as an opportunity to grow as a person and learn more about unconscious bias.”

For the remainder of the basketball season, Jim Albracht and Bobby Hansen will serve as the radio announcers for the University of Iowa’s men’s basketball games. 

USA Today noted that Dolphin was suspended last fall for criticizing a player in an apparent hot-mic event.

iMediaEthics has tweeted Dolphin for further comment.