PHNX Sports has fired Phoenix Suns writer Gerald Bourguet over his social media posts in response to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The tragic killing of Kirk has only intensified the nation’s political divide, with social media continuing to serve as a platform for people to share such rhetoric. And as controversial posts from Bourguet reacting to Kirk’s death gained attention, PHNX Sports, owned by ALLCITY Network, announced its decision to part ways with the Suns writer.
The opinions expressed by our employees do not represent the views of PHNX or ALLCITY Network. We take matters involving violence very seriously and are committed to ensuring that ALLCITY remains a safe place for our employees and community alike. We have addressed this matter…
— PHNX Sports (@PHNX_Sports) September 11, 2025
“The opinions expressed by our employees do not represent the views of PHNX or ALLCITY Network,” PHNX Sports wrote. “We take matters involving violence very seriously and are committed to ensuring that ALLCITY remains a safe place for our employees and community alike. We have addressed this matter with the individual and made the decision to part ways.”
Through several social media posts Wednesday night, Bourguet accused Kirk of living a life devoted to “hateful rhetoric,” adding that he refused to respect an “evil man” and “bigot spreading genocidal propaganda.”
The posts began to go viral once they were shared by Libs of TikTok Wednesday night, with PHNX Sports ultimately announcing its decision to part ways with Bourguet amid mounting backlash Thursday afternoon. Prior to PHNX Sports firing Bourguet, the Carolina Panthers fired communications staffer Charlie Rock who shared an Instagram post saying “Why are yall sad? Your man said it was worth it?” hours after Kirk’s death. The post referenced a speech Kirk gave in 2023, where he stated, “I think it’s worth to have a cost of, unfortunately, some gun deaths every single year so that we can have the Second Amendment to protect our other God-given rights.”
On Sept. 10, Kirk was horrifically killed by gunshot while speaking outdoors at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Kirk spent much of his political career touring universities to engage in debate with students. The 31-year-old leaves behind a wife and two children. As of Thursday afternoon, no gunman has been captured or identified.
About Brandon Contes
Brandon Contes is a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. He previously helped carve the sports vertical for Mediaite and spent more than three years with Barrett Sports Media. Send tips/comments/complaints to bcontes@thecomeback.com