NBA announcer fired over controversial 'All Lives Matter' tweet

The play-by-play announcer for NBA team Sacramento Kings has resigned from his job and was fired from his radio show for tweeting "All Lives Matter" amid the George Floyd protests.

Grant Napear tweeted Sunday "All Lives Matter… Every Single One!" in response to former Kings star Demarcus Cousins, who asked the radio host for his opinion on the Black Lives Matter movement.

Making such a statement is deemed offensive and viewed as mocking the Black Lives Matter movement, which began in 2013 as a campaign against systematic racism and violence toward African-Americans.

The movement strikes at the heart of the protests following George Floyd's death at the hands of a Minnesota police officer.

According to the Sacramento Bee, Napear also made headlines for the wrong reasons for his stance on former LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling, saying the former owner couldn't be racist because he employed African-American people.

Several Kings players in the past have had issues with the announcer because of his issues with race.

"I'm not as educated on BLM as I thought I was," Napear said in an apology.

"I had no idea that when I said 'All Lives Matter' that it was counter to what BLM is trying to get across."

Cousins responded with skepticism to Napear's defence.

"Lol as expected," Cousins replied.

Former NBA star and commentator Chris Webber also highlighted similar concerns.

"Demarcus we know and have known who grant is," tweeted Webber, who also played for the Kings.

"The team knows as well. I've told them many times. They've seen it. They know who he is."

Webber added two clown emojis.