The NBA on Wednesday and
Thursday removed former All-Star Tim Hardaway from any
appearances associated with the NBA and, according to the
Associated Press, "banished" him from All-Star weekend, in
response to
Hardaway's grossly homophobic comments Wednesday.
"We removed him from
representing us because we didn't think his comments were
consistent with having anything to do with us," NBA
commissioner David Stern said Thursday, according to the
Associated Press.
John Amaechi, the former NBA
ballplayer who came out of the closet last week, has said he
is glad the NBA took such a strong, immediate position in
distancing themselves from Hardaway and his comments.
Hardaway's agent issued a
statement on Thursday:
"As an African-American, I
know all too well the negative thoughts and feelings hatred
and bigotry cause. ... I regret and apologize for the
statements that I made that have certainly caused the same
kinds of feelings and reactions. ... I especially apologize
to my fans, friends and family in Miami and Chicago. I am
committed to examining my feelings and will recognize,
appreciate and respect the differences among people in our
society. I regret any embarrassment I have caused the league
on the eve of one of their greatest annual events."
Unfortunately, given his refusal
to apologize Wednesday night and early Thursday, this
apology will fall on deaf ears.
Hardaway left Las Vegas all
together on Thursday, heading back to his home in Miami.
Stern also said: "This is an
issue overall that has fascinated America. It's not an NBA
issue."
It's unfortunate that Stern
would try to pass this off as "not my problem." The NBA is
at the center of the biggest sports-news story of the last
week, and all Stern wants to do is wash his hands of it. He
should take a cue from the NFL, which has embraced its role
as a social leader and implemented programs to fight
homophobia, racism and sexism in the League.
Stern wants to believe that his
NBA is simply based on scores and how well players
contribute to victory. He is sorely mistaken.
