Arizona State AD Ray Anderson 'regrets' Big 12, Morgantown, West Virginia comments

Recent comments from Arizona State's Ray Anderson set off a firestorm on social media, with West Virginia and Big 12 fans slamming the Sun Devils' athletic director.

Anderson apologized for his comments on a radio appearance Wednesday.

"Although those comments were said in jest and taken out of context, they were clumsy comments from me that I sincerely regret,” Anderson told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. "Because I offended some people when no offense was intended, and for that I apologize. I sincerely do."

On Saturday, Anderson did not make a good first impression with the Big 12, and especially West Virginia fans, when he said in reference to the home of the Mountaineers, one of ASU's new conference foes:

“I promise I’m not going to Morgantown. I’m going to sign that to Jean Boyd (deputy AD). He can go to Morgantown. But send me to Texas and the rivalry with Arizona and starting a new one with BYU and Utah and Colorado."

Anderson's comments were based on the new travel costs and logistics that his school would face in having to travel to West Virginia and other Big 12 schools. Morgantown is more than 2,000 miles from Tempe.

Social media slammed Anderson and ASU's leadership in the wake of his words.

'Lack of class' Arizona State's Ray Anderson slammed for Big 12, West Virginia comments

Ray Anderson changes tune on Morgantown, West Virginia

On Wednesday, Anderson told The Bickley & Marotta Show that he called West Virginia's athletic director, Wren Baker, and "explained the context" of his comments.

"So I called Wren on Monday and we had a chance to talk and I explained the context. He graciously accepted my apology and certainly said he’d pass it on to their president Gordon Gee, who I know," Anderson said.

Anderson is now evidently singing a very different tune about Morgantown.

"It’s a beautiful, beautiful college town," Anderson told Arizona Sports 98.7 FM. "I look forward to visiting."

Pac-12 vs. Big 12 travel: Did Ray Anderson have a point with his 'Morgantown' comments?

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona State AD 'regrets' Big 12, West Virginia, Morgantown comments