Amazon fires NBA announcers over 'hotel journalism' joke, former employee slams process

Amazon has fired basketball commentators Romulo Mendonca and Ricardo Bulgarelli after they made a joke about colleague Alana Ambrosio's excitement during NBA coverage, Noticias da TV reported. The company confirmed the dismissals following an internal investigation into the incident.

Mendonca, who now describes himself as a former NBA narrator for Amazon, criticized the streaming platform for its handling of the situation, according to Folha de S.Paulo. He claimed the company did not hear his side before deciding to terminate him.

"a debochado comment about 'hotel journalism'"

The remark, directed at a colleague covering the NBA, sparked the controversy that led to the investigation. Noticias da TV noted that the joke involved mocking Ambrosio's "deslumbramento" (awe) during the broadcasts.

Mendonca's criticism centers on Amazon's decision-making process. Folha reported that he feels the platform failed to give him a fair chance to explain himself before concluding the internal probe and opting for dismissal.

Amazon has not publicly commented further on the specifics of the case beyond confirming the termination of both employees, as noted by Noticias da TV. The incident highlights the sensitivity around workplace humor in live sports broadcasting.