Detroit Tigers Announcers Make Awkward Comments About Olivia Dunne During Game Broadcast

Danielle Jennings
·2-min read

The incident occurred in the middle of an on-air segment referencing Olivia Dunne and Paul Skenes' relationship

<p>Alexander Tamargo/Getty</p> Olivia Dunne

Alexander Tamargo/Getty

Olivia Dunne

Things got a little awkward recently when announcers for the Detroit Tigers began discussing college gymnastics star Olivia Dunne just before her MLB boyfriend Paul Skenes’ game against the team.

In the middle of an on-air segment on Bally Sports Detroit that referred to Dunne and Skenes as “Gen Z’s New Power Couple” on May 29, broadcaster Johnny Kane was looking at his phone, prompting fellow broadcaster Trevor Thompson to ask him, “What’s going on there man? Are you looking up Livvy Dunne?"

Bally Sports Detroit analyst Carlos Pena then quickly chimed in, adding, “She just gained one more follower.” The exchange continued when Thompson asked Kane, “You’re gonna follow her on all the socials, Johnny?”

Kane then shot a question about the 21-year-old Dunne over to Thompson, asking “Are you interviewing Livvy in the stands today?” — to which Thompson smiled, then replied, “If I see her I’m going to try to track her down. See if she’ll come on to Bally Sports with us. Why not right?”

Representatives from Bally Sports did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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<p>Olivia Dunne/Instagram</p> Olivia Dunne and her boyfriend Paul Skenes

Olivia Dunne/Instagram

Olivia Dunne and her boyfriend Paul Skenes

While she hasn't engaged with the Bally Sports broadcasters over this incident, Dunne has been forced to speak out when her fans have gotten too roudy. In July 2023, Dunne called out the criticism she received after “cringey” groups of boys began causing security issues at her Louisiana State University gymnastics meets.

Dunne told PEOPLE in November that LSU "really helped" her figure out how to stay safe at meets given her large following.

"After the incident in Utah that happened last year, we now have a security guard that travels with the LSU gymnastics team," she said.

Related: Olivia Dunne Calls Out Sexist Criticism About Her Photos: ‘Not a Girl’s Responsibility How a Man Looks at Her’

The gymnast, who is fresh off of LSU's NCAA gymnastics championship win and is debating if she'll return to the school for a fifth season on the team, told PEOPLE in May that she just purchased a new home, while her boyfriend Skenes is making waves as a rookie pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Related: Olivia Dunne Reveals the New Way She'll Give a BTS Look at Her Summer Plans and Gymnastics Training

Dunne told PEOPLE that she hopes to make it to many of Skenes' games this summer,  though "it's not the easiest place to get to" with her busy schedule.

"If it doesn't interfere with my schedule, then yes. I do live kind of close in New Jersey on the East Coast, but yeah, I'll definitely try to be there."

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