The NBA took disciplinary action against Meyers Leonard of the Miami Heat in the wake of him using an anti-Semitic slur during an Twitch livestream. The 29-year-old center was fined $50,000 as well as suspended from team activities for one week.
“Meyers Leonard’s comment was inexcusable and hurtful and such an offensive term has no place in the NBA or in our society,” a statement from the NBA’s commissioner Adam Silver reads. “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.”
Actor Michael Rapaport, who is an NBA fan, was particularly upset with Leonard. He refused to accept an apology that the Heat center published on Instagram, asking him to apologize on video.
