Sportsnet 650 hosts call out racist behaviour

The hockey community continues to rally behind Sportsnet 650 broadcasters after they took to Twitter to call out racist behaviour directed at them by listeners.

Satiar Shah and Bik Nizzar shared a bit of what happened during their Vancouver Canucks post-game show on social media Tuesday night.

“Good night of racism on the post game show, also included a dude calling in twice with different numbers and names to do a middle eastern chant. Cowards,” Shah wrote, also sharing a screenshot of a comment that reads “Enjoy your Surrey audience.”

“Coward waited 20 minutes on hold to pull this off a second time…. People strive to great lengths to be racist,” Nizzar added.

Coward waited 20 minutes on hold to pull this off a second time…. People strive to great lengths to be racist. https://t.co/pBY4jTMzBA

— Bik Nizzar (@BikNizzar) November 10, 2021

Shah’s tweet quickly garnered hundreds of likes and dozens of retweets, with many people — including fans and sports journalists from across the industry — coming to support him and his colleague.

The National Hockey League was even among those calling out the racist behaviour.

“There is no place in the game for the racist comments you endured last night. Fortunately for all NHL fans – especially Vancouver fans – there is a place in our League for you. We are proud you’re part of the NHL family,” the NHL wrote in a reply.

There is no place in the game for the racist comments you endured last night. Fortunately for all NHL fans – especially Vancouver fans – there is a place in our League for you. We are proud you’re part of the NHL family.

— NHL (@NHL) November 10, 2021

The Vancouver Canucks were also quick to come to Shah and Nizzar’s defence.

“We are with you @bik650 and @SatiarShah. There is no place for the racist comments that you experienced last night on the @Sportsnet650 post game show. We stand proudly behind you,” the team posted on Twitter.

We are with you @bik650 and @SatiarShah. There's no place for the racist comments that you experienced last night on the @Sportsnet650 post game show. We stand proudly behind you.

— Vancouver Canucks (@Canucks) November 11, 2021

That tweet echoed dozens of other tweets, many of which called for an end to such unacceptable behaviour.

Above all, the main message was clear: the racism inflicted upon them was “disgusting” and that there’s simply no place for racism in Vancouver or elsewhere.

It shouldn't be that difficult for every single #Canucks fan on this platform and everywhere else to stand against this sort of racism and with @SatiarShah and the rest of @Sportsnet650. No place for this in Vancouver or anywhere else and I am sorry you had to go through this. https://t.co/sVCb6WHOjF

— JABO Vancouver (@jabo_vancouver) November 10, 2021

Absolutely disgusting. Sat and Bik are two of the best guys and brightest analysts that you will meet. To see them treated this way infuriates me.

We have to be better than this. We need to be better than this. https://t.co/ol5NUBfbt3

— Brendan Batchelor (@BatchHockey) November 10, 2021

The comments and replies also highlight there’s more work to be done to build a more inclusive culture, in hockey and beyond.

Both Shah and Nizzar have expressed their gratitude for the support in the wake of Tuesday’s show. However, they both stress — this isn’t about them.

“Unfortunately these racist messages aren’t new but this time it went farther than usual and had to be addressed,” Shah wrote. “I know it hurt other people of colour for having to hear it while they’re trying to enjoy Canucks talk.”

Appreciate the replies & people reaching out privately.

Unfortunately these racist messages aren't new but this time it went farther than usual and had to be addressed.

I know it hurt other people of colour for having to hear it while they're trying to enjoy Canucks talk

— Satiar Shah (@SatiarShah) November 10, 2021

“Neither Sat or myself post this for sympathy or compassion (while appreciated),” added Nizzar. “This isn’t new for either of us – I want it to serve as a reminder and alert you as to how prevalent this remains and how motivated one can be to call and broadcast hate speech to thousands.”

neither Sat or myself post this for sympathy or compassion (while appreciated). This isn't new for either of us – I want it to serve as a reminder and alert you as to how prevalent this remains and how motivated one can be to call and broadcast hate speech to thousands.

— Bik Nizzar (@Bik650) November 10, 2021

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