Downers Grove Native Susannah Collins Speaks Out about CSN Firing

Five days after her dismissal from Comcast SportsNet Chicago, reporter Susannah Collins is finally speaking out.

Collins released the following statement on her website Tuesday, addressing her now infamous on-air gaffe and past appearances on the controversial talk show Sports Nutz:

As most of you know by now, I had a slip-up last week on the air while covering the Blackhawks playoff series.  As a result of the attention it received, an old web-based sports comedy series I participated in several years ago came to light. The intention of that show was to present a satirical, tongue-in-cheek approach to sports but, unfortunately, some of the material it contained was off-color and offensive. I understand why some may have been offended by it and for this I am truly sorry.  To be clear, that show in no way reflects my personal opinions.   

It has always been my dream to cover my hometown teams on the network I loved watching.  I have worked tirelessly to develop my skills as a sports reporter, anchor and host, and I want to thank the city of Chicago for allowing me that opportunity. The outpouring of support I have received is overwhelming and it will remain in my heart, as will Chicago. Always.

- Susannah

While reporting during a Chicago Blackhawks playoff game April 30, Collins accidentally said that the team "had a tremendous amount of sex during the regular season." She immediately corrected herself with the word she meant to use, "success," but the mistake quickly went viral on YouTube, news websites and even the Tonight Show with Jay Leno.

Although the mistake was minor, the attention brought to light a series of YouTube videos uploaded between 2009 and 2010 of the show Sports Nutz. As the co-host of the show, Collins "pushed the boundaries of sports journalism" and good taste by delivering offensive and sexually explicit reports, according to the Chicago Tribune.

CSN declined to comment on the reasons behind Collins' departure, but told the Tribune it had nothing to do with the Blackhawks slip-up.

"Due to circumstances unrelated to her on-air remarks Tuesday night, Susannah Collins and Comcast SportsNet Chicago have parted ways," Phil Bedella, vice president and general manager of CSN Chicago told the Tribune. "We appreciate everything Susannah has contributed to our network over the past year and wish her the best in her future endeavors." 

Collins is a graduate of Downers Grove North High School and the University of Illinois, where she earned a degree in broadcast journalism. She worked as a reporter for Showtime Sports, the NFL Network and a CBS affiliate in New York before joining CSN in 2012.

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