Yankees President Randy Levine Issues Strong National Statement After “Brewers Karen” Scandal: “In Our House, Hate Has No Home.”

New York, New York – October 17, 2025

In a rare and forceful public statement, New York Yankees President Randy Levine has spoken out against the viral “Brewers Karen” incident that has sparked national outrage, condemning the behavior of Shannon Kobylarczyk — the woman caught on video yelling “Call ICE!” at a Latino U.S. veteran — as “Un-American, disrespectful, and completely contrary to what New York and the Yankees stand for.” The message, released Thursday morning, drew widespread attention and underscored the Yankees’ long-standing commitment to diversity, respect, and inclusion.

The controversy began during Game 2 of the National League Championship Series between the Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers, when a video surfaced showing Kobylarczyk shouting “Call ICE!” at Ricardo Fosado, a Dodgers fan of Latino descent and a U.S. military veteran. The clip quickly went viral, with millions condemning the verbal attack after Fosado responded that he had served in two wars for the United States. Within 24 hours, Kobylarczyk was fired by ManpowerGroup, which cited its “zero-tolerance policy for discrimination and harassment.” She also resigned from the Make-A-Wish Wisconsin Board of Directors, as the incident drew national headlines.

A woman, dubbed on social media as "Brewers Karen," lost her job over her "call ICE" comments against a Dodgers fan https://t.co/PHgSgTV4Uv pic.twitter.com/76rYaRrgxh

— FOX 11 Los Angeles (@FOXLA) October 16, 2025

While the Brewers organization issued an immediate statement denouncing her actions, it was the New York Yankees who made one of the strongest public responses. In an official statement, Randy Levine called the incident “a test of who we are as a sporting community.” He added: “The values of baseball — teamwork, respect, and unity — mean nothing if we stay silent when hate rears its head. Yankee Stadium is more than just a ballpark; it’s a place where fans of every background come together under one flag. That’s what defines New York.” Levine further confirmed that Kobylarczyk is banned indefinitely from all Yankees-related events and facilities.

The statement immediately resonated with fans and athletes across the country. On social media, the hashtag #YankeesStandUnited began trending within hours, as players and supporters praised the team’s leadership. Outfielder Aaron Judge reposted the statement with the caption: “Proud to wear the pinstripes — this is what being a Yankee means.” Pitcher Gerrit Cole added: “Respect. That’s our standard.” Even fans of rival teams expressed admiration, with one Boston Red Sox supporter writing: “We may battle on the field, but this was pure class from the Yankees.”

National outlets quickly recognized the statement as a defining moment of leadership. ESPN’s Jeff Passan described it as “a model response that transcends baseball,” while The New York Times editorial board praised the Yankees for “taking a moral stand that reflects both the city’s values and the team’s history.”

Closing his statement, Randy Levine summed up the organization’s message with words that echoed far beyond the Bronx:

“The New York Yankees don’t just play in America — we represent it. And in our house, hate has no home.”