Thom Brennaman revives career in college football, 4 years after being fired for homophobic slur 

After four years of exile from broadcasting, Thom Brennaman is getting an opportunity to revive his career. The sportscaster has reportedly been hired by CW as the lead voice for its Atlantic Coast Conference and Pac-12 football broadcast for the 2024 college football season.

Brennaman had a downturn in his career in 2020 after he was caught on hot mic saying a homophobic slur during an MLB game. He was reported to have said San Francisco is “one of the f** capitals of the world” in a game between the Cincinnati Reds and Kansas City Royals.

However, Thom Brennaman will reportedly get the opportunity to be on the headset once again, marking a redemption for his collapsed career. While he expected to mostly call ACC games, his first duty in his new role with CW will be in the Oregon State game against Idaho State on Aug. 31.

“There are no words to describe how grateful I am that they're rolling the dice. They don't have to do this,” Brennaman said via The Athletic, appreciating CW for the opportunity.

Thom Brennaman had the backing of people in the industry

CW conducted thorough due diligence to ensure the decision was sound before hiring Thom Brennaman. This was pretty much needed by the network to avoid backlash across the country.

The network's president, Sean Compton, consulted numerous individuals within the broadcasting industry, including popular sportscaster Bob Costas, who advocated for Brennaman.

“Neither Thom nor anyone else denies that he had a serious misstep,” Costas said. “A misstep for which some consequence would have been appropriate. But the price he has paid is beyond disproportionate.

“Especially when you consider that he had a fine reputation prior to the incident and took every proper step to make amends subsequent to it. His return to the booth is overdue and I am sure the audience will be happy to hear his voice again."

Thom Brennaman's career before broadcasting exile

Before his unfortunate downfall in August 2020, Thom Brennaman had an illustrious broadcasting career in the MLB. He started his career in the league as a commentator for the Cincinnati Reds in 1988 before moving to work with the Chicago Cubs in 1990.

The Arizona Diamondbacks was his next stop after almost a decade with the Cubs, joining them in 1998. He returned to the Cincinnati Reds in 2006 and was there until his homophobic slur incident in 2020.

Brennaman also called the NBA and NFL for Fox Sports from 1994 until he was fired in 2020. He had a short stint in NCAA football with the Big Ten Network from 2007 to 2008. He once again returns to calling college football with CW in the 2024 season.