PHNX Sports has fired Phoenix Suns reporter Gerald Bourguet over comments he made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death on social media.
The company announced the firing on social media, writing on X: “The opinions expressed by our employees do not represent the views of PHNX or ALLCITY Network. We take matters involving violence very seriously and are committed to ensuring that ALLCITY remains a safe place for our employees and community alike. We have addressed this matter with the individual and made the decision to part ways.”
The opinions expressed by our employees do not represent the views of PHNX or ALLCITY Network. We take matters involving violence very seriously and are committed to ensuring that ALLCITY remains a safe place for our employees and community alike. We have addressed this matter…
— PHNX Sports (@PHNX_Sports) September 11, 2025
Bourguet, a popular beat reporter for the NBA team, incited anger on social media in the aftermath of Kirk’s death with several posts.
He posted: “‘Political differences’ are not the same thing as spewing hateful rhetoric on a daily basis, and refusing to mourn a life devoted to that cause is not the same thing as celebrating gun violence. Just so we’re 100% clear on that.”
“Political differences” are not the same thing as spewing hateful rhetoric on a daily basis, and refusing to mourn a life devoted to that cause is not the same thing as celebrating gun violence. Just so we’re 100% clear on that.
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) September 11, 2025What Gerald Bourguet posted about Charlie Kirk on social media
He also posted: “If you’re saddened by today’s ‘political violence,’ horrified by the video, or repulsed by my response, ask yourself why your reaction was different when it came to school shootings, mass deportations or the HUNDREDS of videos of horrific murders in Gaza (which Kirk cheered on)”
If you’re saddened by today’s “political violence,” horrified by the video, or repulsed by my response, ask yourself why your reaction was different when it came to school shootings, mass deportations or the HUNDREDS of videos of horrific murders in Gaza (which Kirk cheered on)
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) September 11, 2025
He added: “Truly don’t care if you think it’s insensitive or poor timing to decline to respect an evil man who died. Too many of you are more concerned with being polite and *appearing* to be good people rather than showing some damn backbone and standing on (principle) to condemn hate.”
Truly don’t care if you think it’s insensitive or poor timing to decline to respect an evil man who died. Too many of you are more concerned with being polite and *appearing* to be good people rather than showing some damn backbone and standing on principal to condemn hate
— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) September 11, 2025
Bourguet also hosted the PHNX Suns podcast.
He had not posted anything about his firing on X as of the time of publication for this story.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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