The NBA on Thursday suspended Miami Heat hub Meyers Leonard for a week, guilty of uttering an anti-Semitic insult in a video, for which he later apologized.
The North American Basketball League, which banned him from all activity and physical presence in the Heat, also fined Leonard $ 50,000 and was forced to participate in a program to promote cultural diversity.
The Florida franchise had already pronounced Tuesday the sidelining "for an indefinite period" of its pivot after he had described as "fucking kites" opponents during a video game session "Call of Duty: Warzone »Online broadcast on Twitch (live streaming)
The Heat and the NBA are investigating a video of Meyers Leonard using an anti-Semitic slur during a live Twitch today.
Mike Bass, NBA spokesperson: “The NBA unequivocally condemns all forms of hate speech.
»Pic.twitter.com/6cNlI8osPn
- Benjamin Moubeche (@MBC_Benjamin) March 9, 2021
Leonard apologized on Instagram on Tuesday night, pleading ignorance, explaining that he had been warned by his wife of his slip while still playing.
He had ended his game immediately.
“I didn't know what that word meant before that,” he defended himself.
“Meyers Leonard's comment was inexcusable and hurtful and such an offensive term has no place in the NBA or in our society,” American League boss Adam Silver said in a statement.
"Yesterday (Wednesday), he spoke with representatives of the Anti-Defamation League to better understand the impact of his remarks and we accept that he is sincerely remorseful," he added.
In his ninth NBA season, the 2.16-meter player underwent shoulder surgery in January, after playing just three games with the Heat.
In November, he had extended two years for $ 19.5 million, but only the first year is guaranteed, with Miami having an option on its second year of the contract.
He could become a free agent this summer.
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