IOWA CITY, Iowa – 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 Iowa’s men’s basketball games.

Friday's release also included a 5-second audio with the comment that led to Dolphin's suspension. Dolphin was praising the performance of Maryland forward Bruno Fernando, but his choice of works didn't sit well with his bosses.

"There was pretty good long-range shooting and then Fernando was King Kong at the end of the game," Dolphin said.

Dolphin was also suspended for two games earlier in the sason after he made critical comments that were inadvertently aired during the start of a commercial break. He singled out Iowa player Maishe Dailey for criticism and Iowa coach Fran McCaffery later called the criticism inexcusable.

Dolphin has been Iowa's play-by-play announcer for football and men's basketball for the past 22 years.

The Iowa Athletic Department also released a statement on Friday that supported the decision to suspend Dolphin.

"The University of Iowa athletics department supports Hawkeye Sports Properties decision to indefinitely suspend radio play-by-play announcer Gary Dolphin. The University of Iowa athletics department values diversity and is committed to creating a welcoming environment for all members of its campus community."