David Koch in hot water over inappropriate Usain Bolt slavery joke

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David Koch in hot water over inappropriate Usain Bolt slavery joke image

Port Adelaide chairman David Koch has received heavy criticism after insensitively referring to slavery during a discussion on his morning show, Sunrise, about sports superstar Usain Bolt.

Koch's co-host Mark Berretta had revealed a story about a European club's interest in the football convert as he awaits a contract offer from Central Coast Mariners.

Bolt is hoping to crack the A-League after showing signs of improvement in a pre-season trial where he scored two goals, however it remains unclear if the Mariners will add him to their books.

A curious Koch questioned whether the Mariners could profit off their potential recruit and sell him to another club, in the form of a transfer fee which is a popular concept in rival codes.

“So the Mariners sell him for money, they make a lot of money out of it?” Koch asked

Beretta responded: “It’s a win-win: You keep him, great. You sell him, so be it. That’s the tough world of professional football.''

As Bolt is not contracted to the Mariners, they have no right to request a transfer fee or any form of cash in return for the fastest man in the world.

Koch then had a wild on-air blunder, quickly retracting his comments, but the damage was already done.

“Who said slavery was over — anyway. No,” he said.

The gobsmacked reactions of his co-workers said it all as the cameras quickly panned away before Koch tried to cover up his tracks.


Koch later defended himself on Twitter, claiming he had used the term slavery when talking about other athletes and a better explanation was required.



 

Channel Seven viewers watched on in disgust as social media lit up with rage.


 



 

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