The NBA has suspended Miami Heat forward Meyers Leonard after he used an anti-Semitic slur on March 8. Leonard had been playing “Call of Duty: Warzone” when he said, “Don’t f—ing snipe me, you k— b—-.”
In a March 10 statement, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver announced that Leonard will be suspended for a week, has been fined $50,000 and is required to participate in a cultural diversity program.
“Meyers Leonard’s comment was inexcusable and hurtful and such an offensive term has no place in the NBA or in our society,” Silver said. “Yesterday, he spoke to representatives of the Anti-Defamation League to better understand the impact of his words and we accept that he is genuinely remorseful. We have further communicated to Meyers that derogatory comments like this will not be tolerated and that he will be expected to uphold the core values of our league — equality, tolerance, inclusion and respect — at all times moving forward.”
Yahoo sports reporter Chris Haynes noted in a tweet that because Leonard is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury, he’ll still get paid during his suspension. Under the league rules, “$50K and sensitivity training is the extent of punishment league can levy.”
As @BobbyMarks42 notes, due to Meyers Leonard being injured, he still gets paid during one-week suspension. Bound by the CBA, $50K and sensitivity training is the extent of punishment league can levy. https://t.co/MNZfnm5l3s
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 11, 2021
Jewish groups praised the NBA’s handling of the matter.
“Important @NBA & @MiamiHEAT are holding @MeyersLeonard accountable for his use of an #antisemitic slur,” Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted. “After our conversation yesterday, we know he plans to educate himself & work toward combating hate and ignorance. @ADL is ready to work with him as he engages in this process.”
Important @NBA & @MiamiHEAT are holding @MeyersLeonard accountable for his use of an #antisemitic slur.
After our conversation yesterday, we know he plans to educate himself & work toward combating hate and ignorance. @ADL is ready to work with him as he engages in this process. pic.twitter.com/zQ7Gh4gH8A— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) March 11, 2021
The American Jewish Committee similarly tweeted, “Thank you, @NBA, for your zero-tolerance stance on antisemitism.”
🚨 BREAKING: Miami Heat center @MeyersLeonard has been fined $50,000 and suspended for a week after using an antisemitic slur during a livestreamed video game session.
Thank you, @NBA, for your zero-tolerance stance on antisemitism.https://t.co/ioul0tcwoA
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) March 11, 2021
Leonard had apologized on March 10, saying that he didn’t know the meaning of the slur. New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman has offered to host Leonard at a Shabbat dinner and attributed his use of the slur as “casual ignorance,” which Edelman said “is harder to combat and has greater reach, especially when you have influence.” Actor Michael Rapaport, on the other hand, argued that Leonard needed to explain himself on video given the slur is “like a gold antique” that “stabs you in the heart.”
