The NFL’s Panthers fired communications coordinator Charlie Rock on Thursday over an “insensitive social media post.” Soon after, the Phoenix Suns parted ways with reporter Gerald Bourguet, and yes, it all ties back to conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s untimely death. Bourguet’s comments about Kirk sparked the controversy, but what exactly did he say? And who is Gerald Bourguet?

Who is Gerald Bourguet?

Gerald Bourguet is the Phoenix Suns’ go-to reporter, writer, and podcast co-host, covering everything about the team. A credentialed media member since 2015, he’s turned Suns-related lows into storytelling highs. Gerald’s work ranges from daily beat reporting to features and on-site coverage. His passion really clicked during the Bubble Suns era, changing how he approached the game.

Most recently, he penned “5 Unpopular Opinions and Predictions for the 2025-26 Phoenix Suns,” keeping fans buzzing. He’s active on social media too, with a Facebook profile featuring him, his wife, and their dog, and an X account under @GeraldBourguet, which occasionally featured his young son, Archer.

Gerald Bourguet’s career

Gerald Bourguet is PHNX Sports’ lead Suns writer and podcast co-host, a role he’s held since September 2021. Based in Phoenix, he covers everything from daily beat reporting to in-depth features, keeping fans updated on every Suns move. Whether breaking news or analyzing roster changes, Bourguet has become a trusted voice for Phoenix basketball coverage.

Before joining PHNX, Gerald spent over two years at The Step Back (2019–2021), creating original NBA content, managing a team of 20+ writers, covering Suns home games, practices, and press conferences, and developing content strategies for league-wide coverage. Prior to that, he served as editor-in-chief at HoopsHabit from 2017 to 2019, overseeing 50+ writers while reporting and editing, and as an assistant editor from 2013 to 2016, covering the Golden State Warriors and NBA beats. He also led Valley of the Suns at FanSided (2014–2015), producing analytical content and supervising contributions while reporting on games firsthand.

Gerald’s LinkedIn profile sums up his love for basketball and Suns reporting perfectly: “Gerald has been an NBA fan since the day I could say ‘Michael Jordan’ and love writing about the league from any and every angle. I deal with the depression of covering the Suns with jokes, sarcasm, and dreams of being able to cover Phoenix’s return to contender status, sometime in 2055.”

Gerald Bourguet’s education

Gerald Bourguet, an Albuquerque native and Arizona resident, is a proud ASU alum. He graduated from the Walter Cronkite School in 2013, earning both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in sports journalism in just four years as part of Barrett, the Honors College. His time at ASU set the foundation for his career covering the NBA and the Phoenix Suns.

Why was Gerald Bourguet fired?

Gerald Bourguet was let go following a series of social media posts regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. On X, Bourguet posted his opinions, which did not go over well with many. In fact, in one of the posts, he criticized those who were mourning Kirk’s passing and drew comparisons to other tragic events, which added to the controversy.

PHNX Sports did not name Bourguet in its statement but confirmed his dismissal. The company wrote on X, “The opinions expressed by our employees do not represent the views of PHNX or ALLCITY Network. We take matters involving v——- 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.”

The reaction to Bourguet’s firing has been mixed. One comment under the Suns’ post read, “What happened to free speech and all of that stuff.” Another strongly disagreed, writing, “Any person that’s commented that PHNX made the wrong decision in firing @GeraldBourguet below needs to be unfollowed. There is no place to support an individual who celebrates the m—– of an innocent human being. You’re all cowards.”

As of this story’s publication, Gerald had not posted anything about his firing on X, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens next and where his future lies.