Bronco isn't stupid, and he isn't without experience in PR and media.
If he wants to thank the fans, he can simply thank the fans.
But he didn't do that. He had to emphasize the "many" who left.
He knows how that's going to sound. He's been around the block many times, and he's called out the fans before - with similar reactions. If he didn't know how this would play out, then he's frankly an idiot.
But he's not an idiot. He knew how it would sound and he chose to say it anyway.
It's inexcusable.