Radio host Dino Costa made the offensive remarks during a live broadcast on June 7. (Photo by Kareem Black)
A Portland sports radio host has been fired for his comments suggesting that Black Lives Matter protesters be run over by cars.
Alpha Media Sports “750/102.9 The Game” of KXTG Portland cut ties with host Dino Costa on Wednesday, Aug. 16, after a transcript of his offensive remarks leaked in the aftermath of the Charlottesville unrest, RadioInsight reported.
Costa was dismissed after just two months at the station, a decision likely spurred by ire from Major League Soccer’s Portland Timbers and the University of Oregon over his comments. Both of the team’s games air on the station.
“You know these protests where they shut down the road, they lie in the road?” the on-air host said during a June 7 broadcast. “If I’m the cops, I wave the traffic on. Listen, as soon as one or two of these sumbitches are run over, you’ll see the entire, in unison, everybody be up off the street. When people are being killed by 18-wheel trucks coming by, pickups, cars — run ’em over!”
Alpha Media initially stood by Costa, saying in a statement Monday, Aug. 14, that the station had taken “immediate and aggressive action” at the time the comments were made. Facing mounting criticism following the events in Charlottesville, however, the station gave Costa the boot two days later.
“After further review, Alpha Media has decided to cut ties with Dino Costa,” the company said. “Additional information is not available at this time.”
In a statement issued last week, the Timbers condemned the radio host’s views but said it would continue its broadcast contract with the local station, which runs until the end of the 2018 MLS season, according to The Oregonian.
“The Timbers have and will always stand for tolerance, acceptance and diversity, and we understand the reaction that many of our fans have had to some of the offensive and insensitive views and opinions expressed on The Dino Costa Show,” the team said. “In no way do we condone those views, as they go against our fundamental values and beliefs as a club.”
The team added that it would “carefully evaluate our radio home” once their contract ends.
