Suns beat reporter fired after controversial social posts about Charlie Kirk shooting

PHNX Sports has fired its Phoenix Suns beat reporter after a series of posts on X responding to the fatal shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

Gerald Bourguet, identified by the Arizona Republic as the journalist dismissed, wrote a multi-post thread on X the day Kirk was shot at an event at Utah Valley University. In the thread, Bourguet wrote: “’Political differences’ are not the same thing as spewing hateful rhetoric on a daily basis, and refusing to mourn a life devoted to that cause is not the same thing as celebrating gun violence.” In another post he wrote: “If you’re saddened by today’s ‘political violence,’ horrified by the video, or repulsed by my response, ask yourself why your reaction was different when it came to school shootings, mass deportations or the HUNDREDS of videos of horrific murders in Gaza (which Kirk cheered on).”

PHNX Sports said in a statement on X that the views expressed by employees do not represent the company or its parent, ALLCITY Network, and that the organization “takes matters involving violence very seriously and are committed to ensuring that ALLCITY remains a safe place for our employees and community alike.” The statement said the matter was addressed with the individual and that the company had made the decision to part ways. The post did not name Bourguet; the Arizona Republic reported he was the employee involved.

Kirk, a conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA, was shot and killed Wednesday while appearing at Utah Valley University. The shooting prompted responses across sports, including a moment of silence held for Kirk before the New York Yankees’ game against the Detroit Tigers and a social-media post from San Francisco 49ers rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart calling the killing “disgusting and sad.”

Bourguet is the second person in the sports world publicly reported to have been fired over social-media posts about the Kirk killing. On Thursday the Carolina Panthers dismissed communications coordinator Charlie Rock for what the team called an “insensitive social media post.” The Panthers said the views expressed by employees are their own and do not represent the organization and that the team “does not condone violence of any kind.”

PHNX Sports, which covers Phoenix professional teams and operates under the ALLCITY Network, did not provide further details about the circumstances leading to Bourguet’s dismissal or whether the reporter had placed his accounts into private mode following the incident. The Arizona Republic confirmed the identity of the reporter and the staffing change.

The dismissals highlight swift personnel actions by sports organizations in response to staff commentary on a high-profile act of political violence. Teams and media outlets have increasingly moved to distance themselves from employees whose public statements prompt public backlash, citing concerns about workplace safety and organizational values.