A Nashville sports reporter who gave a news report with numerous Prince-references after the musician’s death has been fired.
Many viewers felt that Dan Phillips’s tribute to Prince was insensitive, and a number of managers at the station felt the same way. Phillips had been a reporter at Fox’s WZTV station for 10 years.
“I want to thank everyone for the kind words, comments and positive feedback on this tribute I did to Prince last week. It really means a lot,” Phillips wrote on his Facebook page. “And if you need an old, washed-up sports guy for anything, please let me know!”
Phillips had inserted puns and references to Prince in his report. When announcing a new sports contract, Phillips mentioned how many “diamonds and pearls” the athlete would be able to buy, which is also the name of Prince’s 1991 album.
His social media account has been shut down, and his name removed from the news station staff roster.
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