Chicago Cubs Ban Fan for Flashing ‘Offensive Hand Gesture Associated with Racism’ at Black Reporter

Major League Baseball’s Chicago Cubs have banned a fan from ever attending another game at Wrigley Field for flashing a hand gesture behind a Black broadcaster that is said to refer to white supremacy.
Analyst Doug Glanville was reporting for NBC Sports at a home game against the Miami Marlins on May 7 when an unidentified fan made an “OK” sign.
The “OK”-style gesture, to represent the letters “wp” for white power, was originally a trolling hoax by some in the alt-right movement. But white supremacists started using the gesture.
“By 2019, at least some white supremacists seem to have abandoned the ironic or satiric intent behind the original trolling campaign and used the symbol as a sincere expression of white supremacy,” according to the Anti-Defamation League.
In a statement, the team’s president of business operations, Crane Kenney, said the fan has been indefinitely banned from Wrigley Field:

“We have investigated the incident that occurred at Wrigley Field on May 7, 2019, where an individual was observed on camera using an offensive hand gesture that is associated with racism. The long-standing Chicago Cubs Guest Code of Conduct is in place to ensure a safe, comfortable and enjoyable environment for all fans and prohibits unacceptable behavior. After a review of last night’s broadcast footage, we concluded this individual’s actions violated the Guest Code of Conduct.

“As a result, after repeated attempts to reach this individual by phone, we sent a letter to the individual notifying him of our findings and our decision that, effectively immediately, he will not be permitted on the grounds of Wrigley Field or other ticketed areas indefinitely. We further communicated if he attempts to enter Wrigley Field or other ticketed areas he may be subject to prosecution for criminal trespass to property.

“We are not disclosing the name of the individual to the general public and will not be making any further comment on the matter.”

Glanville expressed his gratitude toward NBC Sports and the Chicago Cubs.
“I applaud the responsiveness of both the Chicago Cubs organization and NBC Sports in investigating this matter,” he said in a statement. “They have reached out to me and are supportive of my role in the broadcast and continue to have a desire to uphold an inclusive environment at Wrigley Field. They have displayed sensitivity as to how the implications of this would affect me as a person of color.”

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