Hank Haney has been suspended from SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio in the wake of racist and sexist remarks the host made on the Wednesday edition of his show "Hank Haney Golf Radio."
A joint statement from the PGA Tour and SiriusXM reads:
Mr. Haney's comments on women's professional golf were insensitive and do not represent the views of the PGA Tour or SiriusXM. The PGA Tour is committed to and proud of the increasingly diverse makeup of our fan base, not to mention the power and accomplishments of the game's world-class, global palyers - both on the PGA Tour and LPGA, whom we are working with more closely than ever before. SiriusXM proudly covers and supports both women's and men's golf and the athletes that make them great. At the PGA Tour's instruction Mr. Haney has been suspended from the SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio channel. SiriusXM is reviewing his status on SiriusXM going forward.
Mr. Haney added, "I accept my suspension and apologize again."
In the opening segment of the show, Haney and co-host Steve Johnson disparaged women's golf and made an attempted joke at the number of Korean players on the LPGA Tour.
Steve Johnson: This week is the 74th U.S. Women’s Open, Hank.
Hank Haney: Oh it is?
SJ: The 74th. The 74th U.S. Women’s Open.
HH: I’m gonna predict a Korean.
SJ: [Laughs] OK, that’s a pretty safe bet.
HH: I couldn’t name you six players on the LPGA Tour. Maybe I could. Well… I’d go with Lee, if I didn’t have to name a first name, I’d get a bunch of them right.
SJ: We’ve got 6 Lees.
HH: Honestly, Michelle Wie is hurt… I don’t know anybody … Where are they playing by the way?
SJ: Country Club of Charleston.
HH: That’s a good course, that’s a good course.
Reaction was swift from golf media and LPGA players, denouncing the remarks. On Thursday, Haney's show didn't air, instead replaced by a rerun of the preceding "A New Breed of Golf" with Michael Breed. On the PGA Tour Radio page of the SiriusXM site, Haney's show was not on the schedule until Monday, June 3. No mention was made on air of Haney's suspension, whose length is unclear.
