Here is all you need to know about who is Bill Walton, his age, wife, career, net worth and more
Bill Walton, a basketball hall of Famer, has been under fire for using a derogatory term about the little people while covering the 2023 Pac-12 basketball championship in Las Vegas.
After Arizona State’s decisive 77-72 victory over USC on Thursday, ESPN analyst Walton used the “m-word” in his commentary. He mentioned it while praising the game’s host. Walton said, as per The New York Post:
He does not need a little chair because he is a giant in a world full of shriveling midgets.”
Walton then made a joke while looking over to his co-host Dave Pasch:
Speaking of shriveling midgets, what is your name again?”
As he questioned, Pasch laughed and shook his head:
What is wrong with you.”
Pasch tried to talk on the Arizona-USC game but was cut off by a fired-up Walton.
While some of the broadcasters briefly laughed at Walton’s obscenity, others did not.
Who is commentator Bill Walton, net worth in 2023, wife, son, age, height, college stats
According to Little People of America (LPA), Walton’s use of the term “m—-t” on the mic was “deplorable and inexcusable” in a statement to TMZ on Friday.
"I don't know what you consumed at halftime."- Dave Pasch to Bill Walton 🏀🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/MsuxaVnLnR
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) March 10, 2023
The organisation also demanded an apology from the former All-Star centre.
LPA is the largest and oldest organisation in the world that supports people with dwarfism, according to its website. It is a nonprofit organization.
The company also noted that on its website, the term “midget” is seen as a derogatory slur.
Walton hasn’t made a public statement about the issue yet. In light of this, many people want to know about who is this commentator. Have a look.
Who is Bill Walton?
William Theodore Walton III, a former professional basketball player and American television sportscaster, was born on November 5, 1952, and is currently 70 years old. He is 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) tall.
Bill Walton career
Bill Walton played college basketball for the UCLA Bruins under Coach John Wooden, helping them to two NCAA championships and an 88-game winning run while taking home three consecutive national collegiate players of the year honours (1972–1974).
After being selected with the first overall pick in the NBA Draft in 1974, Walton guided the Portland Trail Blazers to a championship in 1977 and was rewarded with the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player Award.
He won another NBA title in 1986 while playing for the Boston Celtics. Walton received recognition in 1993 when he was admitted to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He was chosen for the NBA’s 50th and 75th-anniversary teams.
With the Portland Trail Blazers, with whom he was also chosen as Finals MVP, Walton had a very successful start to his NBA career, taking home the 1978 NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy and the NBA championship.
But, persistent foot problems necessitating numerous surgery began to substantially impede his professional career.
Bill Walton career post-retirement
After leaving the NBA, Walton conquered his stuttering and began a second career as a sportscaster. For several networks and teams, he has served as a studio analyst and colour commentator.
Bill Walton wife and children
Living in their hometown of San Diego, Walton is married to his wife Lori (m. 1991). He and his first wife, Susie, have four sons: Adam, Nathan, Luke, and Chris.
His son Luke later played in the NBA and assisted the Lakers in their NBA Finals victories in 2009 and 2010. Luke was the head coach of the Lakers from 2016 to 2019 following a two-year stint as an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors.
Chris Walton played for San Diego State. He is a real estate executive.
Nate Walton played basketball at Princeton. Prior to entering the workforce, he earned his MBA from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Management.
Adam Walton played at Louisiana State University, Pomona College, and the College of Notre Dame in Belmont, California. He is currently San Diego Mesa College’s assistant collegiate coach.
Bill Walton siblings
Bill Walton’s other brother, Bruce Walton, played in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1973 to 1975.
Cathy Walton, Walton’s sister, excelled in swimming as a child and played a little bit of NCAA basketball.
Bill Walton net worth
Bill Walton’s estimated net worth is around $20 million.