The Philadelphia Flyers organization has suspended its radio play-by-play announcer, Tim Saunders, for two games following an inappropriate comment that was broadcast over a live microphone during a game.
The Live Microphone Slip-Up
The incident occurred during the third period of the Flyers' game against the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday, December 19, 2025. As Saunders tossed the broadcast to a commercial during a television timeout, he believed he was off the air. According to a transcript published by CrossingBroad.com, a conversation ensued with on-air colleague and former NHL player Todd Fedoruk.
After a ten-second pause, Saunders is heard saying, "While you’re down there, would you mind blowing me?" Fedoruk quickly responded, "I think we’re still on the air, Tim," which triggered nervous laughter from Saunders. Audio of the exchange circulated widely on social media platform X.
Immediate Organizational Response
The Flyers and their radio partner, 97.5 The Fanatic, reacted swiftly. On the same day, the team issued a formal apology on its social media channels. The statement condemned the remarks as not reflecting the organization's standards of conduct.
The suspension was announced as effective immediately. The team's statement read, in part, "We take this matter very seriously, and sincerely apologize to our listeners, fans, and all those affected by these comments." As of Friday afternoon, Saunders had not made any public comment regarding the incident.
Not an Isolated Incident in the NHL
This is not the first time an NHL broadcaster has encountered a hot mic issue in the recent past. The event echoes a similar situation from February of the same year, involving Buffalo Sabres rinkside reporter Rob Ray. During a live broadcast, Ray uttered an expletive after being struck in the face by a stray puck.
These incidents highlight the constant risk of live broadcasting, where a momentary assumption of privacy can lead to significant professional consequences and public scrutiny for both the individual and the franchise they represent.
