Longtime local radio host Michael Sorce, better known as Don Geronimo, was fired from radio station WBIG “Big100” over the weekend after making on-air remarks about WUSA9 sports reporter Sharla McBride on Thursday, July 27. The incident occurred while Geronimo and co-host Crash Young were broadcasting live from Commanders training camp. Geronimo referred to McBride as “Barbie”, and initially thought she was a cheerleader. Geronimo released the following statement on Wednesday afternoon:
Last week, during my live radio show from the Commanders training camp, I used inappropriate words in a way that hurt someone. I deeply and sincerely apologize for the pain I caused WUSA sports reporter Sharla McBride.
As has been reported, I insensitively used the terms “Barbie,” “Barbie girl,” and “chick” when talking about Ms. McBride, a fellow broadcaster who I did not know or recognize, when she walked by our broadcast position. My attempts to be humorous and topical backfired, and I needlessly deprecated a professional colleague.
I want to correct one inaccurate aspect of some media reports. Contrary to those reports, neither I nor my producer used the word “tight” to describe Ms. McBride. Rather, my producer used the word “tight” – a common term in the broadcast world that refers to seamless production – to describe a technical aspect of our show that day. The timing of it was unfortunately misconstrued in some reports as part of my reference to Ms. McBride.
I have reached out to Ms. McBride to apologize. When she feels ready, I hope that we can have a conversation and that I will have the opportunity to reiterate my apology to her in person. I hope that Ms. McBride and the listeners who heard me will forgive me. I am better than this, and I promise to demonstrate that going forward.”
Don Geronimo co-hosted the nationally syndicated Don & Mike Show with Mike O’Meara from 1986 until 2008 and began hosting mornings at BIG100 in September 2021. BIG100 is the flagship radio station of the Washington Commanders and is owned by iHeartMedia, which broadcasts out of studios located at 1801 Rockville Pike in Rockville.